Sydney teacher hit shark with 'left hook' during attack

An Australian school teacher mauled by a large shark at a Sydney beach says she fired a "left hook" at the predator before it dragged her underwater.

The mum-of-one said she doesn't want to be remembered as that girl who got mauled at the beach, but instead as the woman who punched a shark in the face.

The mum and primary school teacher recounted her thought process as she was attacked by a four-metre great white shark, punching the 'monster' as she refused to become its breakfast

Leah Stewart, 34, was mauled by a great white shark in June during a morning swim at Coogee Beach.