The crisp alpine air of Italy’s Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena is thick with anticipation as the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics biathlon events unfold. For South Korea, these Games mark a pivotal chapter in the nation’s ongoing journey through the demanding world of biathlon—a sport that merges the endurance of cross-country skiing with the precision of rifle shooting. As the competition stretches from February 8 to 21, two Korean athletes, Ekaterina Abakumova and Choi Doo-jin, are writing their own stories on this storied snow.
Let’s start with Ekaterina Abakumova, whose path to the Olympic start line is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Russia, Abakumova became a naturalized Korean citizen in 2017, answering the call from the Korea Biathlon Federation to bolster the nation’s prospects in a sport where it had little tradition. Since then, she’s been a trailblazer: the first naturalized Korean athlete to compete in three consecutive Winter Olympics, after appearances in PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022. Now, in Milan-Cortina, she’s back for her third Olympic outing, set to compete in the women’s 15 km individual event on February 11.
Abakumova’s journey has been anything but smooth. After clinching a historic gold in the 7.5 km sprint at the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games—the first Asian Games biathlon gold in Korea’s history—she found herself without a team. Her contract with Jeonnam Sports Council was terminated amid disputes between her club and the national federation over team selection policies. Despite this setback, she pressed on, training independently for a year and funding her own preparations, including a crucial two-week stint in Europe just before the Games. “For the two weeks before the Olympics, I trained in Europe at my own expense—transportation, food, accommodation, even stadium fees,” Abakumova told Maeil Business Newspaper. “I received no financial support from the national team or my former club.”
Why endure such hardship? Abakumova’s answer is simple and deeply professional: “I could have returned to Korea and prepared for the Olympics with the team, but I didn’t think that was the professional way to approach the Games.” She cited the need to avoid the physical toll of long-haul travel and to acclimate to the 1,800-meter altitude of the Antholz-Anterselva arena. “Managing my condition and adapting to the altitude were essential. That’s why I chose to train in an environment similar to the Olympic venue.”
Yet, adversity struck again. In December 2025, Abakumova fell seriously ill, leaving her less than fully fit for medal contention in Milan-Cortina. She’s realistic about her chances, aiming to surpass her previous best Olympic finish of 15th place. “I’m not in top shape to compete for medals, but I want to show the best performance of my career,” she said. Encouragingly, she’s seen improvements in both her shooting accuracy and skiing speed this season—a testament to her relentless work ethic.
Abakumova’s persistence stands in stark contrast to the revolving door of naturalized athletes in Korean winter sports. While many foreign-born competitors have come and gone—recruited en masse before the PyeongChang 2018 Games—she remains the last of her cohort still donning the Korean uniform. “She is the only one left from the group of 19 naturalized athletes who joined for PyeongChang,” noted Ilyo Shinmun. Her steadfastness and resilience have made her a symbol of dedication in Korean winter sports, even as her former teammates have moved on, some to other nations, some out of the sport entirely.
Meanwhile, the men’s biathlon squad saw a different kind of Olympic debut. On February 10, Choi Doo-jin of Pocheon City Hall took to the course for the men’s 20 km individual event. For Choi, just reaching the Olympics was a triumph. Biathlon remains a niche pursuit in Korea, and training conditions are often far from ideal. Despite these hurdles, Choi crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 7.6 seconds, placing 85th out of 89 competitors. He incurred five minutes in penalties after missing five targets—four in the prone position and one standing. “He may have finished near the back, but Choi’s participation is a victory in itself, given the tough road he’s traveled,” reported Newsis.
At the front of the pack, Norway’s Johan Olav Botten put on a clinical display, winning gold with perfect shooting and a time of 51:31.5. France’s Eric Perrot took silver, while Norway’s Sturla Holm Lægreid claimed bronze. For Choi, the result might not turn heads internationally, but back home, it’s a sign that Korean biathlon is making incremental progress on the world stage.
The Olympic biathlon schedule is a grueling one, with events ranging from the mixed relay on February 8 to the mass start races closing things out on February 20 and 21. The Antholz-Anterselva arena, nestled among the Alps near the Austrian border, is renowned for its altitude and history—it hosted the first World Biathlon Championships in 1975 and remains a staple on the World Cup circuit. For athletes, success here demands both physical resilience and mental sharpness, as the thin air and pressure-packed shooting bouts can upend even the most seasoned competitors.
Korea’s biathlon program, though still in its infancy compared to European powerhouses, is slowly finding its feet. The qualification system is unforgiving: only the top 60 in the sprint events advance to the pursuit, and a top-five finish in any individual, sprint, or pursuit event is required to make the mass start. For now, simply qualifying and competing is a badge of honor for Korean athletes.
Back home, the domestic biathlon scene is showing signs of life. On February 10, Jeong Joo-mi of Pocheon City Hall captured her second gold of the season at the 40th Chairman’s Cup National Biathlon Competition, edging out rivals in the women’s sprint. These local successes hint at a growing pool of talent, perhaps inspired by the international exploits of pioneers like Abakumova and Choi.
As the Milan-Cortina Games continue, all eyes in Korea are on Abakumova’s performance in the women’s 15 km individual event. While a podium finish may be a tall order this time, her story is already one of grit, sacrifice, and quiet heroism. For Choi Doo-jin, the experience gained on the Olympic stage could be the foundation for future breakthroughs. And for Korean biathlon as a whole, these Games are another step up the mountain—slow, steady, and full of promise.
With the competition ongoing and the world’s best biathletes still battling it out in the Italian Alps, Korea’s representatives are proving that, even in a sport where the odds are long, perseverance can be its own kind of victory.