Shtonda Completes Hawaii Triathlon on Prosthetic Leg

Boris Baruch Shtonda crossed the finish line of the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii on October 10, completing a 226-kilometer endurance event on a single prosthetic leg. The Israeli reservist, who competes in the division for athletes with disabilities, finished the course roughly three years after a battlefield injury altered his physical condition.

The race required competitors to swim 3.8 kilometers, cycle 180 kilometers, and run a 42.2-kilometer marathon. Shtonda used a custom-fitted running prosthetic designed specifically for the event. His participation capped a year and a half of preparation backed by Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, or FIDF.

Shtonda lost his right leg above the knee following a severe injury in Beit Hanoun, a city in northern Gaza. He had been serving as a reservist in the IDF’s Duvdevan unit when a Hamas attack in October 2023 led to his deployment. About a month after arriving in the area, an explosive device wounded him. Doctors performed several surgeries before amputating the limb.

Athletic challenges became a central part of Shtonda’s recovery process. Since the amputation, he has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice, swum across the Sea of Galilee, and completed a half Ironman race in Spain. He then set his sights on the full distance in Hawaii.

Mike Hochstein, an FIDF supporter from Dallas, met Shtonda during a charity bike ride in Israel last year. Hochstein noted that Shtonda’s dedication and perseverance in pushing physical limits were inspiring to watch.

Shtonda dedicated his performance to wounded soldiers and individuals undergoing rehabilitation. He told those in recovery to trust their own inner guidance and maintain belief in their ability to overcome difficult circumstances. He urged others to remain their own heroes when navigating personal challenges.

FIDF CEO Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan stated that the result demonstrates the determination of wounded soldiers during long recovery periods. He explained that medical treatment is only the beginning of the process. The organization continues to support veterans through sports and adventure programs to help them rebuild strength, confidence, and independence.