Bethany Hamilton wins third place in Fiji surfing competition

Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer whose arm was bitten off by a shark more than a decade ago, had once again ridden the waves -- and set a career best -- during the World Surf League's Fiji Women's Pro competition.

"I've just been totally dreaming of surfing, competing here in Fiji," said the Soul Surfer in a recent interview with the World Surf League. "It's just been a blast."

According to ABC, Hamilton earned a wild card and was invited to the Fiji competition. She beat Australia's Stephanie Gilmore, a six-time world champion, and Australia's Tyler Wright, the world's number one.

"I knew once I beat Tyler, I could beat anyone," the 26-year-old Christian from Hawaii said. "At the end of the day, it's just getting it together and catching the right waves and just surfing my best."

However, she lost to France's Johanne Defay in the semi-finals. Defay eventually got the top spot while Hawaii's Carissa Moore finished second.

Hamilton took third place, of which she tweeted: "Beyond stoked to finish 3rd... as the wildcard! LOVED competing & looking forward to more adventures."

Only three weeks following her encounter with a 14-foot tiger shark in 2003 at the age of 13, Hamilton was already back on her surf board. In 2004, her autobiography titled "Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board" was published, later to become a feature film titled "Soul Surfer."

It was also in 2004 when Hamilton started competing again. She subsequently won first place in several competitions, including the NSSA National in 2004 and 2005, the O'Neill Island Girl Junior Pro tournament in 2005, the NSSA Regionals and the T & C Pipeline Women's Pro in 2007, and the Surf 'n' Sea Pipeline Women's Pro in 2014.

"I know I'm like in a unique position to hopefully encourage you girls to make great decisions as they're growing into women and also to chase their dreams," she told World Surf League. "I think I'm just a reminder for the young girls that, 'Hey, like you can do it if you set your mind to it.'"

Hamilton leads non-profit Christian organization Friends of Bethany. 

An entry in her blog reads: "As rough times come my way, like when I lost my arm to the shark, and as life throws challenging curve balls, I take joy and am grounded in God's promises found in His Word, the Bible. I still hold fast to his truths today."