Wounded IDF officer trains for world surfing championship

Tamir Dudi, a 26-year-old IDF officer who was severely wounded during fighting in Jabaliya in January 2024, is pursuing a new goal: reaching the podium at the world surfing championship in California this November. Dudi, formerly a lieutenant in the Nahal Brigade, sustained critical injuries during combat and underwent 17 surgeries across three countries. After a year and a half of attempting to save his limbs, he ultimately chose to have his right arm amputated. Dudi describes surfing as a healing process and a source of hope following his recovery. With the support of coaches and sponsors, he has been training intensively to compete in the adaptive surfing discipline. Dudi, who is now married and living in Jerusalem, plans to study psychology after the championship.