PyeongChang 2018 Sport Weeks: Biathlon Ones to Watch

The world’s best biathletes are entering their final stages of preparation ahead of PyeongChang 2018. Here are some of the big names set to compete at the next Paralympic Winter Games.

Mark Arendz, Canada

His most recent performances, including his two golds at the 2017 World Championships and his second place in the biathlon World Cup men’s standing overall rankings, prove he will be tough-to-beat at PyeongChang 2018. Arendz kicked off the season with one silver in the individual event at the first World Cup in Canmore.

Martin Fleig, Germany

The home crowd carried him to his first two world titles in the men’s sitting in Finsterau, Germany. Fleig also finished first in the 2016-2017 biathlon World Cup overall rankings. After such a good season, the German aims to extend his winning streak at PyeongChang 2018.

Oksana Masters, USA

Rounded off an outstanding performance at the 2017 World Championships in Finsterau, winning the three women’s cross-country sitting events and the biathlon middle distance. Masters started the season with double biathlon gold at the season-opening World Cup in Canmore. Few will bet against her ahead of PyeongChang 2018.

Oksana Shyshkova, Ukraine

The 2016-2017 season was a breakthrough one for Oksana Shyshkova, who claimed her first women’s vision impaired world titles at Finsterau 2017 and also ended top of the biathlon World Cup overall rankings, as well as second in cross-country. The 26-year-old aims to take a leap forward in PyeongChang after taking three bronze at Sochi 2014.

Oleksandra Kononova, Ukraine

Has dominated the standing category in both cross-country and biathlon for three years in a row, winning multiple World titles in 2015 and 2017, and will be the woman to beat at March’s Paralympic Winter Games. Kononova, who topped the podium once in biathlon at both Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, is hoping to add more golds to her haul.

Taras Rad, Ukraine

Claimed triple silver in the biathlon sprint, middle and long distance events in the men’s sitting at his first World Championships in Finsterau, Germany. He also finished second in the 2016-17 biathlon World Cup overall rankings. PyeongChang 2018 will be his first Winter Paralympics.