Sarah Rudder, a former U.S. Marine who lost a leg in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, won seven medals during the international Invictus Games put on for wounded service members earlier this week.
She also clinched the first gold medal of the two-day Paralympic event after winning first place in the women’s lightweight powerlifting competition, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
"I feel like I'm back in high school again," Rudder told ABC News. "I'm able to hit the track and keep up with athletes that are much younger than me, and it's an amazing feeling."
Nearly 15 years ago, on Sept. 11, 2001, Rudder was set for a promotion ceremony in front of the Pentagon when a plane struck the Department of Defense headquarters. She made it out of the attacks unharmed, but two days later caught her left ankle in a concrete barrier while removing the remains of victims from the site.
With a crushed ankle, Rudder underwent five reconstructive surgeries but doctors weren’t able to save the leg and had to amputate it in 2014.
Rudder ultimately joined the Wounded Warrior program, which led her to this year’s Invictus Games hosted by ESPN in Orlando. The Paralympics event, created by British Prince Harry for wounded service members, features multi-sport competitions aimed to inspire recovery.
Rudder took home seven medals, including four gold and three silver, for Team USA Tuesday, becoming the "most decorated" competitor at the games, ABC News reported.
Marine Veteran and Team USA member Sarah Rudder takes Gold and Silver in rowing. @InvictusOrlando @USMC pic.twitter.com/3mIut5lUJc
— VA Adaptive Sports (@VAAdaptiveSport) May 11, 2016
"It shows that just because I'm an amputee doesn't mean I can't go out and put my heart and soul on the track or any event that I do," Rudder told the Associated Press.
Printed on the retired marine corporal’s prosthetic leg is an illustration of Superwoman, whom Rudder said she aspires to emulate.
"Even though she's not exactly real, we still have someone to look up to and know that a woman is known for her strength," Rudder said. "I want to be known for that as well."