Darien’s own Ali Truwit breaks records at the Paris Paralympics

DARIEN, Conn. (WTNH) – Ali Truwit is bringing two silver medals home to Darien after breaking two U.S. records in women’s swimming at the Paris Paralympics.

The 24-year-old lost part of her leg in a shark attack last year.

“Most people’s worst nightmare happened to me,” said Truwit.

A nightmare turned reality just two days after graduating from Yale University. Truwit was vacationing in Turks and Caicos when she was attacked by a shark.

“This year has been filled with low lows and high highs and understanding that the journey isn’t linear was a big learning curve for me,” Truwit said.

On her 23rd birthday she underwent an amputation and lost part of her leg.

“Looked back at photos from a year ago today when I’m learning to take my first steps with a prosthetic leg and there’s fear written all over my face,” said Truwit.

Truwit turned grief into motivation, getting back in the pool just three months after the attack to return to her passion.

Now one year later, the Darien-native swam on a global stage and won two silver medals the women’s in 400-meter freestyle S10 and 100-meter backstroke S10.

“I’m feeling really excited. I’m really proud of myself and I’m also so grateful for all the support I have with me here in Paris and at home with watch parties,” said Truwit. “There’s a song I love that says I have an army of angels lifting me up and that’s what it feels like when I have my support around me and it makes this whole journey easier.”

Aside from both being a personal best, the 24-year-old also broke two American records. A testament to her physical and mental strength over the last 15 months.

“I remember those moments with the grief and the tears and the loss and the sadness and thinking about where I am today just makes me feel so proud and really shows what I’ve learned is I’m stronger than I thought and I think we are all stronger than we think. We all have so much more in us than we think we do and I hope what people see is in me they know is in them also,” said Truwit.

Truwit returns home to Connecticut on Monday and is considering making a return to the Paralympics in 2028.

A huge congratulations to Ali Truwit from all of us here at News 8!

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