Fan favorite one-arm surfer Bethany Hamilton placed third in her heat, missing the cut with a 8.67 score.

The 19-year-old is nationally recognized for not only surviving a life-threatening shark attack in 2003, but coming back to the sport without an arm from the accident.

The inspirational Hamilton was mobbed by fans, many of which were young girls, when she returned to shore around 4:15 p.m. She was one of 12 eliminated from the round of 24.

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