Shtonda Completes Hawaii Ironman Three Years After Amputation
IDF reservist Boris Baruch Shtonda finished the 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle, and marathon in the disability division.
By Benjamin Clark ·
Boris Baruch Shtonda finished the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii on October 10.
Shtonda, an Israeli army veteran, lost his right leg in the Gaza war roughly three years before the race. He competed in the division for athletes with disabilities, completing the event's standard course of a 3.8 kilometer swim, a 180 kilometer bike ride, and a full marathon. He ran the final portion of the race on a custom-fitted prosthetic.
The injury occurred in Beit Hanoun, a city in northern Gaza, about a month after Shtonda deployed as a reservist in the IDF's Duvdevan unit following the October 7 attacks. An explosive device severely wounded him, and doctors amputated his right leg above the knee after several surgeries.
Shtonda turned athletic challenges into a central part of his recovery process. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice, swum across the Sea of Galilee, and finished a half Ironman race in Spain. He then began training for the full distance event in Hawaii.
The preparation phase lasted a year and a half. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) backed his training. Mike Hochstein of Dallas, an FIDF supporter who met Shtonda during a bike ride in Israel last year, cited the athlete's dedication. Hochstein stated, "His dedication, perseverance, and commitment to pushing his limits are truly inspiring."
Shtonda dedicated his finish to wounded soldiers and individuals undergoing rehabilitation. He told supporters, "You are your own compass. 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 CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan said the result reflects the determination shown by wounded soldiers during long rehabilitation. He noted that recovery extends beyond medical treatment and requires continued support to rebuild strength and confidence. Padan added that FIDF supporters in the United States assist soldiers and their families through this process.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
