Paralympian Ali Truwit Featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Ali Truwit’s journey from a life-altering shark attack to gracing the pages of the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is a testament to resilience and determination.
Ali Truwit Sports Illustrated Images
A Life-Changing Incident
In May 2023, just days after graduating from Yale University, Truwit was snorkeling in Turks and Caicos when a shark attacked, resulting in the loss of her left foot and part of her lower leg. Demonstrating remarkable composure, she swam approximately 75 yards back to the boat, where her friend applied a tourniquet to stem the bleeding. She was then airlifted to a Miami hospital and underwent multiple surgeries, including a below-the-knee amputation on her 23rd birthday.
Return to the Pool
Remarkably, just a month after her surgery, Truwit was back in the water. Her dedication led her to qualify for the 2024 Paris Paralympics, where she won two silver medals in the 400-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke events, setting American records in both.
Advocacy and Empowerment
Beyond her athletic achievements, Truwit founded the nonprofit organization Stronger Than You Think, aiming to support the limb loss community and promote water safety. In May 2025, she hosted a swim-a-thon fundraiser in Stamford, Connecticut, raising funds to help amputees afford prosthetic limbs.
SI Swimsuit Debut
Truwit’s inspiring story caught the attention of Sports Illustrated, leading to her debut in the 2025 Swimsuit Issue. Photographed by Ben Horton in Boca Raton, Florida, she joined a lineup of trailblazing female athletes, showcasing strength and beauty in equal measure.
As the second Paralympian and third amputee to be featured in the magazine, Truwit expressed her gratitude on Instagram:
Truwit’s journey from adversity to empowerment serves as an inspiration, highlighting the strength of the human spirit and the importance of representation in media.
What an inspiration !!!!!!!!!!