IDF veteran completes Hawaii Ironman race three years after losing leg in Gaza combat

Three years after being injured and losing his right leg while in Gaza, IDF veteran Boris Baruch Shtonda completed the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii on October 10.

Shtonda competed in the long-distance triathlon consisting of a 3.8-kilometer swim, a 180-kilometer bike ride, and a full marathon  in a division for athletes with disabilities while wearing a custom-fitted specialized running prosthetic. 

Shtonda lost his right leg while serving in the IDF’s Duvdevan as a reservist after Hamas’s October 7 massacre. A month after being deployed, he was severely wounded by an explosive device in the northern Gaza city of Beit Hanoun.

He underwent multiple surgeries before his leg was amputated above the knee and made athletic challenges a central goal for his recovery.

Since starting his recovery, Shtonda climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice, swam across the Sea of Galilee, and finished a half Ironman race in Spain before deciding to train for the Hawaii Ironman.

Shtonda completed the race after a year and a half of training and support from Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF).

Shtonda dedicates Ironman achievement to wounded soldiers in rehabilitation

Shtonda dedicated his race to wounded soldiers and others undergoing rehabilitation, encouraging them to draw on their inner strength, believe in themselves, and become their own heroes.

“I want to share a message with all wounded soldiers and anyone going through a rehabilitation process: you are your own compass,” Shtonda said. “Sometimes, we have to be our own heroes and pull ourselves out of the predicaments we find ourselves in. Keep the faith, and always–always–believe in yourselves.”

Shtonda also received support from FIDF supporter Mike Hochstein of Dallas, who was moved by his aspirations, determination, and mental resilience after meeting him during a visit to Israel.

“I first met Boris during an FIDF bike ride through Israel last year, and from that first meeting, Boris’s determination and spirit made a lasting impression,” Hochstein said. “His dedication, perseverance, and commitment to pushing his limits are truly inspiring. I'm so proud to support Boris on this extraordinary journey.”

FIDF helps wounded IDF soldiers rebuild their lives through sports and rehabilitation

FIDF's support for Shtonda is part of the organization's broader efforts to assist wounded IDF soldiers and their families through rehabilitation programs, sports, and adventure activities designed to build physical and mental resilience. These initiatives aim to help wounded veterans regain their independence, return to everyday life, and pursue new goals beyond their initial medical treatment.

“Boris’s achievement reflects the determination wounded soldiers bring to the long process of rehabilitation,” said FIDF CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan. “Recovery does not end when medical treatment is over. It takes continued support, opportunities to rebuild strength and confidence, and the chance to set new goals. Through the commitment of FIDF supporters in the United States, we help wounded soldiers and their families navigate that process and continue moving forward.”

Shtonda's journey highlights the inner strength and resilience of wounded IDF soldiers, demonstrating how rehabilitation extends beyond medical treatment and how sports, personal determination, and community support can help wounded soldiers regain confidence, overcome challenges, and rebuild their lives after injury.