Amputee reservist Boris Shtonda completes Hawaii Ironman

Boris Baruch Shtonda crossed the finish line of the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii on October 10. The Israeli army veteran competed in the division for athletes with disabilities, racing on a custom-fitted running prosthetic for his right leg.

The event required competitors to swim 3.8 kilometers, cycle 180 kilometers, and run a full marathon. Shtonda had been serving as a reservist in the IDF's Duvdevan unit following the Hamas attacks on October 7. About one month into his deployment, an explosive device severely wounded him in Beit Hanoun, a city in northern Gaza.

After several surgeries, doctors amputated his right leg above the knee. Shtonda made athletic challenges a central goal of his recovery process. Prior to the Hawaii race, he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice, swam across the Sea of Galilee, and finished a half Ironman race in Spain.

Training for the full Ironman took a year and a half. The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, or FIDF, backed his preparation. Mike Hochstein, an FIDF supporter from Dallas, met Shtonda during a bike ride through Israel last year. Hochstein described Shtonda's dedication and perseverance as truly inspiring.

Shtonda dedicated his performance to wounded soldiers and anyone undergoing rehabilitation. He told athletes to be their own compass and believe in themselves during difficult times. FIDF says its support for Shtonda is part of its wider work to help wounded IDF soldiers and their families.

The organization uses rehabilitation, sports, and adventure activities to build physical and mental resilience. Its aim is to help veterans regain independence and set new goals beyond initial medical treatment. FIDF CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan said the result reflects the determination wounded soldiers bring to long rehabilitation.

Padan stated that recovery does not end when medical treatment is over. He noted that the process requires continued support, chances to rebuild strength and confidence, and the opportunity to set new goals. FIDF supporters in the United States help wounded soldiers and their families through that process.