"I felt like I had no face": The soldier who was shot in the face in Be'eri returns to competition

D., a Shayetet 13 commando and former Israeli champion in indoor cycling, returns to competition after being severely wounded in the face during the battle in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7. He was shot in the jaw, underwent a lengthy rehabilitation, and is now returning to his old love.

D., a Shayetet 13 commando and former Israeli champion in indoor cycling, returns to competition after being severely wounded in the face during the fighting in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7, 2023. He was shot in the face, shattering his jaw, and underwent a lengthy rehabilitation that included surgeries, gum grafts, and facial reconstruction. For three months his mouth was closed and he could only consume liquids. After about a year he returned to cycling, and now he is returning to competition. D. recounts the moments of his injury, the decision not to lose consciousness, and the support of his partner, also serving in the same unit, to whom he became engaged since. He returned to reserve duty after two weeks and continues to conduct team-building sessions to this day.