Turning For The Best: A Heroic Life

Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

Natalie du Toit is undoubtedly one of the most unique Olympic swimmers in history.  The amputee qualified for the 2008 Olympic 10K Marathon Swim in Beijing and finished 4th in the 10 km race at the 2008 World Open Water Swimming Championships despite her handicap.

Her story is told in the well-received book Tumble Turn.

Tumble Turn is an inspirational story for people from all walks of life, especially poignant for athletes and open water swimmers.

Several organizations have honored du Toit with numerous honors and awards including 2009 Disabled Swimmer of South Africa Swimming, Top 100 Great South Africans in 2004 by the South African Broadcasting Corporation, 2008 Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award, 2009 Order of Ikhamanga in Gold for her exceptional achievements in swimming, and 2010 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability for breaking down the barriers between disabled and able-bodied sport.

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