From Combat Injury to Paralympic Dream: The Inspiring Journey of Shiran Madar
Shiran Madar overcame severe combat injuries sustained during her IDF service to become a champion wheelchair tennis player, now setting her sights on the 2028 Paralympics.
Shiran Madar knew from a young age what she wanted to do with her life. At seven, she picked up tennis and never stopped—at least not until life forced her to make a choice, and then presented her with a reality that made her think she would never play again. Ultimately, she returned to the sport, becoming one of Israel's leading wheelchair tennis champions after overcoming a severe military injury.
The Choice and the Injury
When she reached conscription age, Madar had the option to request service as an exceptional athlete. However, she chose a different path. "I decided I wanted to enlist as a combat soldier. I knew from the time I was little that this is what I wanted. My sister was a combat soldier before me, my father as well, and I knew there was no other option in the IDF that interested me, so I gave up tennis," she recalls.
In May 2020, during operational deployment in the Ma'ale Efrayim area, Madar was securing a fellow soldier who was clearing weeds near a roadside. The soldier inadvertently struck Madar with a sharp tool, causing catastrophic injuries to her lower limbs. Her legs were severely slashed down to the bone and muscle, resulting in massive blood loss. Evacuated by military helicopter to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, she initially remained unaware of the full severity of her condition, continuing to manage her subordinates from her hospital bed while under heavy medication.
"I remember trying to stay conscious. There was a huge loss of blood... I was sure I was returning to service. I continued managing my soldiers from the hospital while high on morphine," Madar says.
Rehabilitation and Discovery of Wheelchair Tennis
Months of grueling physical therapy followed, accompanied by the onset of post-traumatic stress. Confined initially to a wheelchair and struggling to accept physical vulnerability, Madar experienced intense emotional distress and anger. However, a turning point arrived when she was introduced to wheelchair tennis at the Beit Halochem rehabilitation center.
"The first thing I said on the way to the hospital after the injury was: 'I won't have tennis.' I felt like I was losing a part of my body... But from the moment I sat down, I fell in love with the sport all over again," she shares.
Toward the 2028 Paralympics
Returning to competitive sports provided Madar with a crucial psychological outlet. After joining forces with coach Ariel—who later became her romantic partner—she intensified her training and began competing in international tournaments abroad. Alongside her athletic recovery, Madar joined "Now I," a dedicated support initiative for female veterans wounded during service in the IDF and security forces, supported by Israel International Bank.
Today, Madar's ultimate aspiration is clear: representing her country at the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles. "Representing the country in a different way, through sports—I am glad I have the privilege. It is not just for myself; it is connected to the country, and I feel I am doing it for the people, especially after everything we have been through recently. Representing the country is worth everything," she concludes.
