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

IDF veteran Boris Baruch Shtonda, who lost his right leg in Gaza combat three years ago, completed the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii on October 10, 2026, using a custom running prosthetic. He dedicated the race to wounded soldiers in rehabilitation, inspiring others with his resilience and determination.

IDF veteran Boris Baruch Shtonda, who lost his right leg in Gaza combat three years ago, completed the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii on October 10, 2026. Shtonda, a reservist in the IDF's Duvdevan unit, was severely wounded by an explosive device in Beit Hanoun a month after being deployed following Hamas's October 7 massacre. He underwent multiple surgeries before his leg was amputated above the knee. Using a custom-fitted specialized running prosthetic, he completed the triathlon's 3.8-kilometer swim, 180-kilometer bike ride, and full marathon in a division for athletes with disabilities. Shtonda trained for a year and a half with support from Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF). He dedicated the race to wounded soldiers and others undergoing rehabilitation, urging them to believe in themselves. FIDF CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan praised Shtonda's determination, noting that recovery extends beyond medical treatment. Shtonda previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice, swam across the Sea of Galilee, and finished a half Ironman in Spain.