Strakova Claims Youth Junior World Biathlon Gold in Arber

Michaela Strakova of Slovakia secured the gold medal in the Youth Women’s 10km Individual competition at the 2026 Youth and Junior World Biathlon Championships in Arber, Germany. She completed the course with a final time of 3:15.4, making only one mistake on the shooting range.

Race Recap

Strakova’s victory marks the first-ever Youth Junior Individual Gold for a Slovakian woman in the event. Despite a challenging course and rainy conditions, she demonstrated exceptional skill, and composure. She finished 1:05.6 minutes ahead of the silver medalist.

Results

Hanna Voelstad of Norway claimed the silver medal with a time of 4:21.0, while Viktoriia Khvostenko of Ukraine secured the bronze, finishing in 4:35.1.

Here’s a look at the top 10 finishers:

• 1. Michaela Strakova (SVK) – 3:15.4
• 2. Hanna Voelstad (NOR) – 4:21.0 (+1:05.6)
• 3. Viktoriia Khvostenko (UKR) – 4:35.1 (+1:19.7)
• 4. Giovanna Nicolussi (GER) – 4:39.2 (+1:23.8)
• 5. Emma Larsson (SWE) – 5:08.2 (+1:52.8)
• 6. Lydia Hagg Eveby (SWE) – 5:27.9 (+2:12.5)
• 7. Selina Ganner (AUT) – 5:59.8 (+2:44.4)
• 8. Adele Ouvrier Buffet (FRA) – 6:13.9 (+2:58.5)
• 9. Raya Adzhamova (BUL) – 6:31.1 (+3:15.7)
• 10. Alina Khmil (UKR) – 6:46.3 (+3:30.9)

Slovakian Performance

Three other Slovakian women competed in the event. Ema Malíková finished 29th with a deficit of 5:57.5, Barbora Fedorová was 41st (+7:24.1), and Dominika Patrášová finished 52nd (+8:22.8).

Strakova’s Reaction

“I started with a good number, so the first laps were better,” Strakova told slovenskybiatlon.sk. “The weather is not good for us today and after sunny days we may have two degrees and a downpour. It was a bit of a shock, but I tried to deal with it as much as possible on the track. There was one mistake on the shooting range, but I am extremely happy for three zeroes. It is the first place, so I have nothing to complain about.”

Strakova also noted her satisfaction with keeping pace with Voelstad, stating, “I’m very happy that I could keep up with her. I saw her in front of me or we overtook each other depending on who came out of the shooting range. On the track, I do what I know. On the shooting range, it’s something completely different and I attempt to believe as little as possible.”