180-kilometer ride: Shtonda finishes Ironman on prosthetic

Boris Baruch Shtonda covered 180 kilometers on a bicycle as part of the Ironman World Championship held in Hawaii on October 10. He finished the race roughly three years after a severe injury in Gaza altered his physical abilities. Shtonda competed in the division for athletes with disabilities, wearing a custom-fitted running prosthetic for the leg he lost.

The event required competitors to complete three distinct stages. Athletes swam 3.8 kilometers, cycled 180 kilometers, and then ran a full marathon. Shtonda successfully navigated all three disciplines to cross the finish line.

Shtonda was serving as a reservist in the IDF’s Duvdevan unit following the October 7 massacre. About a month into his deployment, an explosive device injured him in Beit Hanoun, a city in northern Gaza. Doctors performed several surgeries before amputating his right leg above the knee.

Following the amputation, Shtonda set athletic milestones as a core part of his recovery plan. He climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice and swam across the Sea of Galilee. He also completed a half Ironman race in Spain before deciding to train for the full championship event in Hawaii.

The training period lasted a year and a half. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, or FIDF, provided backing for his preparation. Mike Hochstein, an FIDF supporter from Dallas, met Shtonda during a bike ride in Israel last year. Hochstein described the veteran’s dedication and perseverance as truly inspiring.

Shtonda dedicated his completion of the race to wounded soldiers and those undergoing rehabilitation. He told the crowd, "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 stated that the result reflects the determination of wounded soldiers in long rehabilitation. He noted that recovery extends beyond medical treatment and requires continued support to rebuild strength. FIDF uses sports and adventure activities to help veterans regain independence and set new goals.