Just weeks ago, the World Cup veteran announced his retirement. Now the 38-year-old is making a complete turnaround.

The Slovenian has been crystal clear that he was done at the World Cup level after this winter’s Olympics in Milano-Cortina. 

This was not unexpected after 20 years on the World Cup circuit and a final season marked by severe pain and a serious knee injury that required surgery. 

But now Jakov Fak has changed his mind. 

Also Read – LIST: Here are the biathletes who are retiring

Aiming to return to the top

It was precisely the struggles of this winter that prompted Fak to reconsider. He barely made it to the Olympics, and the season was far from stellar. He does not want his final season to be defined by injuries. 

His goal is to prove, primarily to himself, that he can return and compete at the highest level without being hindered by injuries. 

Many still remember the impressive victory he achieved at the World Cup in Pokljuka last year. His dream is to end his career in the same way. Now he is going all in to ensure he starts with the best possible conditions.

“I am trying to regain full mobility in my knee and rebuild strength so that I can avoid the compensatory movements that overloaded my other leg,” he explains to TV Sloveniaja. 

Read More – Biathlon World Cup: Fak wins 15km Short Individual in Pokljuka

Over 20 years at the international level

Fak made his international senior debut in the 2002/2003 season. He competed for Croatia until 2010, but then switched citizenship and has represented Slovenia since the 2010/2011 season. Fak has a total of two Olympic medals (bronze in the sprint in 2010 and silver in the normal distance in 2018) and five World Championship medals, including two golds (2012 and 2015). 

Since his World Cup debut in 2006, he has participated in 446 World Cup races, stood on the podium in 27 of them, and won nine. And Jakov Fak is still not satisfied. 

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