180 kilometers: Israeli veteran completes Ironman triathlon in Hawaii

Boris Baruch Shtonda crossed the finish line of the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii on October 10. He completed the event in the division for athletes with disabilities. The race required him to swim 3.8 kilometers, cycle 180 kilometers, and run a full marathon. He competed wearing a custom-fitted running prosthetic.

Shtonda, a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, lost his right leg above the knee following an injury in Gaza. He had been serving as a reservist in the Duvdevan unit after the Hamas attack on October 7. Approximately one month into his deployment, an explosive device severely wounded him in Beit Hanoun, a city in northern Gaza. Doctors performed several surgeries before amputating his leg.

The veteran made athletic challenges a central part of his recovery process. He has already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice and swum across the Sea of Galilee. He also finished a half Ironman race in Spain. Those achievements led him to train for the full distance in Hawaii.

The preparation period lasted a year and a half. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) backed his training efforts. Mike Hochstein, an FIDF supporter from Dallas, met Shtonda during a bike ride through Israel last year. Hochstein described Shtonda's dedication and perseverance as truly inspiring.

Shtonda dedicated his finish to wounded soldiers and individuals undergoing rehabilitation. He told those recovering from injury to be their own heroes. "Keep the faith, and always, always, believe in yourselves," he said. He urged people to pull themselves out of difficult situations.

FIDF CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan stated that the result reflects the determination wounded soldiers bring to long rehabilitation. Padan noted that recovery does not end when medical treatment is over. He said the process requires continued support and opportunities to rebuild strength and confidence. FIDF uses sports and adventure activities to help veterans regain independence and return to daily life.

The organization's supporters in the United States help wounded soldiers and their families through that process. Shtonda's achievement serves as a milestone in his personal recovery journey.