Amputee completes Ironman triathlon

Boris Baruch Shtonda finished the Ironman World Championship on October 10, completing a 3.8-kilometer swim, 180-kilometer bike ride, and 42-kilometer marathon in Hawaii. He competed in the division for athletes with disabilities, wearing a custom-fitted running prosthetic on his right leg.

Shtonda, an Israeli army veteran, lost his right leg above the knee following an injury sustained in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza. He was serving as a reservist in the IDF's Duvdevan unit after the October 7 attack. About one month into his deployment, an explosive device severely wounded him. Doctors performed several surgeries before amputating the limb.

Athletic challenges became a central part of Shtonda's recovery. In the years following his injury, he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice, swam across the Sea of Galilee, and completed a half Ironman race in Spain. He then began training for the full-distance event in Hawaii.

The preparation process took a year and a half. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) backed his training. Mike Hochstein of Dallas, an FIDF supporter, met Shtonda during a bike ride in Israel last year. Hochstein described Shtonda's dedication to pushing his limits as truly inspiring.

Shtonda dedicated his completion of the race to wounded soldiers and individuals undergoing rehabilitation. "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."

FIDF supports Shtonda as part of its wider work to assist wounded IDF soldiers and their families. The organization uses rehabilitation, sports, and adventure activities to build physical and mental resilience. The goal 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. "Recovery does not end when medical treatment is over," Padan said. He added that recovery 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.