Swimsuit

SI Swimsuit Models React to Ali Truwit’s Beautiful Debut Photos: ‘Icon!!’

The Paralympic swimmer’s story is nothing short of extraordinary.

Ananya Panchal

Ali Truwit was photographed by Ben Horton in Boca Raton, Fla.
Ali Truwit was photographed by Ben Horton in Boca Raton, Fla. / Ben Horton/Sports Illustrated

Ali Truwit can do anything she puts her mind to. The Paralympic swimmer, who was a victim of a shark attack in Turks and Caicos in 2023, is also a two-time silver medalist at this year’s Paris Games. She had just graduated from Yale University last May, where she was a star member of the swimming and diving team, and was on vacation celebrating with close friends. Immediately following the attack she was airlifted to a hospital in Miami and underwent two surgeries to help fight infections.

About a month later, she had one leg amputated below the knee, and later that summer Truwit was back in the pool and training again.

Ali Truwit
Ali Truwit was photographed by Ben Horton in Boca Raton, Fla. Swimsuit by Agent Provocateur. / Ben Horton/Sports Illustrated

Her story is nothing short of extraordinary, and we’re so excited to feature her in next year’s SI Swimsuit issue as an athlete. The 24-year-old traveled to Boca Raton, Fla. for her photo shoot with Ben Horton last week, and the first images that have been released are truly magical.

“World, meet Ali Truwit — Paralympian and SI Swimsuit’s newest athlete who will be gracing the pages of the 2025 issue! 👙 @alitruwit is no stranger to adversity. Shortly after successfully completing a four-year degree at Yale University, where she was a member of the swimming and diving team, the athlete was the victim of a shark attack in Turks and Caicos. Fast forward just over a year—and a few Para swimming competitions—later, she had qualified for the Paris Games where she took home two silver medals in the 400-meter freestyle and the 100-m backstroke. ✨Needless to say, her story is simply inspiring and we’re sharing more at the link in our bio,” the brand wrote on Instagram.

Tons of fans, supporters and members of the SI Swimsuit family ran to the comments to celebrate the exciting moment.

“👏🏽 AMAZING!!!!,” 2024 SI Swim Rookie Nina Cash exclaimed.

“Wow, just wow 🙌🏼,“ Berkleigh Wright added.

“Adore you Ali!,” SI Swimsuit editor in chief MJ Day wrote.

Ali Truwit
Ali Truwit was photographed by Ben Horton in Boca Raton, Fla. Swimsuit by Haus of Pink Lemonaid. / Ben Horton/Sports Illustrated

“icon!!,” two-time brand star and content creator Sixtine chimed.

“Yaaassss @alitruwit,” fellow professional athlete and SI Swim digital issue cover girl Ilona Maher stated.

“This is insane !!! You are a goddess 😍😍😍,” Gretchen Walsh gushed.

“Ali yay! This is amazing! ❤️❤️❤️🙌🙌🙌,” Amy Purdy declared.

Earlier this year, during her Paralympic debut, the Connecticut native earned silver in the 400m-freestyle and 100m-backstroke races. She also made history by setting the American record in both events in a span of 48 hours.

Read more about Truwit here, and check out behind the scenes moments from her photo shoot here.

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.

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