Five takeaways from the Para Biathlon World Championships

The IBU Para Biathlon World Championships took place in Pokljuka, Slovenia, from 6-9 February. With the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games approaching, athletes gave a glimpse of the excitement that fans can expect in Val di Fiemme, where 18 Para biathlon events will be held during the Games.

Here are the key takeaways from the Para Biathlon World Championships:

Ukraine’s Para biathlon domination continues

Ukraine topped the medals table with 14 medals, including five gold, three silver, and six bronze medals. Oleksandr Kazik led Ukraine’s campaign in Pokljuka as one of only two athletes to win all three events – the 7.5 km sprint, the sprint pursuit, and the 12.5 km individual race.

On the second day of the competition, Ukraine claimed half of the available medals in the sprint pursuit. Kazik won the men’s vision impaired category, while Oleksandra Kononova and Grygorii Vovchynskyi won the women’s and men’s standing categories, respectively.

At the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, Ukraine dominated the Para biathlon medals table with eight gold, nine silver, and five bronze medals.

Kendall Gretsch completes hat-trick in Pokljuka

Just five months after winning a Para triathlon medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Kendall Gretsch completed a hat-trick of gold medals at the Para Biathlon World Championships.

Gretsch was the only athlete to fire 20 accurate shots in the women’s 12.5 km individual sitting event on the final day, overtaking Germany’s Anja Wicker by two minutes to finish the World Championships unbeaten.

“It was exciting to have another good race, and it’s a good way to end the week here,” Gretsch told the International Biathlon Union. “It’s been an awesome venue and awesome races, so I’m really happy with how this week went.”

Gretsch opened her successful campaign in Pokljuka with a win in the women’s 7.5 km sprint event on 6 February, before crossing the finish line more than a minute ahead of China’s silver medallist Zhai Yuxin in the sprint pursuit final.

“It’s a really good feeling going into next year,” Gretsch said when asked about the 2025-2026 season and her preparations for Milano Cortina 2026.

“I have my teammate Oksana (Masters), hopefully, she will be back next year, competing as well. She always pushes me so hard, so I’m looking forward to her being back.”

Seventeen-time Paralympic medallist Oksana Masters, who is also a summer-winter dual athlete, missed the competition because of health. 

Natalie Wilkie and Mark Arendz lead Canada’s success

Natalie Wilkie and Mark Arendz led Canada’s 10-medal haul in Pokljuka. Arendz and Wilkie collected two gold medals, each in the men’s and women’s standing categories.

Wilkie, who took gold in the 7.5km sprint on the first day, won an extremely close race in the women’s 12.5km individual event. Before the final lap, the top three athletes were separated by just four seconds. Wilkie came from behind to cross the finish line in 40 minutes, 20.3 seconds, just 20.5 seconds ahead of China’s Zhao Zhiqing.

“I definitely felt the intensity of the race,” Wilkie said. “Unfortunately, I had a miss in the first round, and I honestly thought I was out of the race at that point. But with four shooting stages, I told myself not to give up.

“My coach kept yelling at me that I had the fastest ski time on the course, so at least I knew I was making up time with every lap,” she added. “It all turned out really well for me.”

After winning gold in the sprint and a bronze in the sprint pursuit, Arendz topped the podium in the 12.5km individual race. The Canadian, however, had no margin for error in his third event, as France’s Benjamin Daviet was in great form and shot flawlessly. The two athletes finished just 26 seconds apart, with the bronze medal going to Ukraine’s Grygorii Vovchynskyi.

Czechia makes historic debut

Představujeme prvního českého parabiatlonistu ve Světového poháru! 🇨🇿💪

Miroslav Motejzík je prostě borec. Loni se zapsal do Guinessovy knihy rekordů, když jako první amputovaný sportovec dokončil nejdelší závod v běhu na lyžích na světě. Nordenskiöldsloppet přitom měří 220 km! pic.twitter.com/TmlwukeunI

— Český biatlon (@ceskybiatlon) February 5, 2025

This season, Miroslav Motejzik became the first Para biathlon athlete to represent Czechia at a World Cup and the World Championships. The 49-year-old athlete was at the starting line of the Paralympic test event in Val di Fiemme before traveling to Pokljuka for the World Championships.

“I enjoy watching biathlon. At home, I ride a stationary bike while following it. When I got a chance to try it, I didn’t hesitate,” said Motejzik, who competes in the standing category.

He finished in 19th place in the men’s 7.5 km sprint standing competition, nearly 12 minutes behind Ardenz, who won the event. But the Czech athlete said he was happy to compete.

“At my age, I’m not thinking about medals anymore. I would like to improve and get closer to the other competitors. My main goal is to motivate younger athletes, showing that overcoming barriers can take many forms and is very important in life.”

Watch out for Yerbol Khamitov at Milano Cortina 2026

Yerbol Khamitov claimed his first Para biathlon world title, winning a tight race in the men’s 12.5 km individual sitting event. He will be among the athletes to watch out for at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Aaron Pike of the USA, Derek Zaplotinsky of Canada, and Khamitov were in contention for the gold medal until the very end. The three athletes did not make mistakes in the shooting range and the outcome came down to their skiing pace. Khamitov took a five-second advantage over Pike and Zaplotinsky and did not give up the lead.

Khamitov made his Paralympic debut at Beijing 2022. Athletes from Kazakhstan have competed at the Paralympic Winter Games since Lillehammer 1994, collecting three medals.