A new super talent beat both Olympic stars and World Champions for three consecutive days during the World Cup final in Holmenkollen, earning praise from experts and rivals alike.

The teenager, starting with bib number 91, left both commentators and competitors stunned during Friday evening’s sprint. With flawless shooting and a strong performance on the course, the then 16-year-old Rihards Lozbers finished in 21st place, just behind Martin Uldal.

“This is incredible! What a talent he is,” the commentators exclaimed.

The 21st place marks a new personal best for the Latvian biathlon talent, who won two golds and two silvers at the Junior World Championships in February.

“I’m very happy. It’s the first time I’ve shot clean in a competition like this,” Lozbers said in the mixed zone after the race.

On Saturday, his 17th birthday, Lozbers finished 28th in the pursuit. And on Sunday, he wrapped up the birthday weekend with 23rd place in the mass start.

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Important for the sport

Both experts and competitors are now praising the young athlete after three consecutive strong performances at the World Cup final in Holmenkollen.

They highlight that athletes like him are important for increasing interest in biathlon, especially in a smaller nation like Latvia.

Steady development

Lozbers became the youngest ever to score World Cup points when he finished 31st in the pursuit at the test event World Championships in Otepää.

At the Olympics in February, he finished 88th in the individual, 32nd in the sprint, and 47th in the pursuit.

“Competing in the Olympics was a dream, and to perform this well at the World Cup final makes me incredibly happy,” says Rihards Lozbers.

The super talent made his international senior debut already at the age of 15. That was in January last year, when he placed 78th and 79th in the two sprints at the IBU Cup in Arber, Germany.

Two months later, he made his World Cup debut with 101st place in the sprint in Holmenkollen. Before Christmas, Lozbers finished 80th in the sprint in Hochfilzen.

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