Reservist Finishes Hawaii Triathlon
Boris Shtonda completed the full Ironman distance in Kona three years after losing his right leg in combat.
By Jonathan Ramirez ·
Boris Baruch Shtonda crossed the finish line in Kona, Hawaii, on October 10.
The 2026 Ironman World Championship finish marks the end of a three-year recovery period for the former Israeli Defense Forces reservist. Shtonda competed in the division for athletes with disabilities. The course required a 3.8-kilometer swim, a 180-kilometer bike ride, and a 42-kilometer marathon run. He completed the entire event using a custom-fitted running prosthetic on his right leg.
Shtonda lost his leg above the knee during the Gaza war. He served in the Duvdevan unit following the October 7 Hamas attack. A month into that deployment, an explosive device injured him in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza. Surgeons amputated the leg after several operations.
He began using athletic goals to guide his rehabilitation. Shtonda has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice and swum across the Sea of Galilee. He also finished a half Ironman race in Spain before training for the full distance. The preparation phase lasted eighteen months.
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, or FIDF, backed the training effort. Mike Hochstein, a Dallas-based supporter of the organization, met Shtonda during a bike ride in Israel last year. Hochstein described Shtonda’s dedication and perseverance as truly inspiring.
Shtonda dedicated the race to wounded soldiers and those undergoing rehabilitation. He told participants to be their own compass and heroes. He urged them to keep the faith and believe in themselves.
Nadav Padan, CEO of FIDF, noted that recovery requires support after medical treatment ends. The organization uses sports and adventure activities to help veterans rebuild strength and confidence. FIDF supporters in the United States assist with this process for soldiers and their families.
