Sarah Almagro, a talented adaptive surfer from Marbella, claimed second place in the Prone-2 category at the World Adaptive Surfing Championship held in California. Despite leading the competition until the final moments, Almagro narrowly missed out on the title to Australian competitor Jocelyn Neumueller, who secured victory with a crucial wave just before the end.
The 24-year-old athlete was defending her title from 2023 and showcased remarkable skill throughout the event. This year’s championship took place in Huntington Beach, where Almagro had previously triumphed.
Remarkably, she returned to competitive surfing just days after being hospitalized and navigated through the heats with impressive performance.
A Story of Resilience
Almagro’s path to success is a testament to her resilience. At just 18 years old, she faced a life-threatening illness when she contracted meningococcal meningitis. This serious condition left her in a coma for ten days and resulted in the amputation of both her hands and feet.
Since overcoming these challenges, Almagro has become an inspiring figure. She excels in adaptive surfing, delivers motivational speeches, and pursues a law degree at the University of Malaga. In 2022, she was honored as ‘Malagueña del Año’ by SUR for her achievements.
Her recent runner-up finish at the World Championship further solidifies her status among the best adaptive surfers globally. It highlights her unwavering spirit and determination to succeed despite life’s obstacles.
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