On Wednesday, in the mixed relay of the IBU World Championships Biathlon Pokljuka 2021, Norwegian Marte Olsbu Røiseland has secured her tenth world champion title. Now, she is only two titles behind the record holder, German Magdalena Neuner, who retired in 2012 and who had won 12 gold medals at the World Championships.
The Norwegian star can surpass Neuner already this year in Pokljuka, as she will probably compete in six events until the end of next week.
“Wow! What a team. Great start to this World Championships,” 30-year-old Røiseland wrote on Instagram. At last year’s World Championships in Anterselva, the leading biathlete of the overall World Cup standing won a medal in all seven events, she got five golds. She became the first female winter athlete with that achievement.
On Saturday, in the sprint, the defending champion Røiseland will have the first opportunity for the 11th gold and 14th medal altogether at the World Championships. If she successfully qualifies for the Sunday pursuit, the Norwegian star will have another opportunity in the event where she finished third in Anterselva.
Røiseland’s teammate Johannes Thingnes Bø celebrated his eleventh title on Wednesday, but a record in men’s competition is still a long way ahead of him. The men’s record holder Ole Einar Bjørndalen won 20 gold medals in his incredible career.