The 2025 Biathlon World Championships ended on February 23, with thrilling mass start races concluding the event at Lenzerheide, Switzerland. This year's championship drew widespread attention, particularly due to the strong performance from the French team, which dominated the podium with outstanding individual achievements.
The women’s mass start race saw Elvira Oeberg from Sweden clinch her long-awaited championship title, finishing strong against the competition. Following closely was Océane Michelon, who not only surprised many by taking second place but also marked her first career podium at the World Championships. Michelon expressed her joy after the victory, stating, “It’s crazy... I apologize for the expression, but Stéphane (my coach) told me: 'at the rate we're messing around the podium, we’re going to end up messing on it!' (laughs). So today is the day, what a way to conclude these fantastic Championships!”
Justine Braisaz-Bouchet also made her mark, finishing within the top ten but failing to replicate her previous championship victory, underlining the competitive nature of the event. Another French competitor, Jeanne Richard, finished fourth, just missing the podium, but contributing to the overall success of the French delegation.
Meanwhile, the men’s mass start race concluded with remarkable performances from the Norwegian team, who pulled off the impressive feat of securing all top three positions. Endre Stroemsheim triumphed as he captured his first individual World Championship title, showcasing exceptional skill shooting with just one penalty. He finished before Sturla Laegreid, who edged out the iconic Johannes Boe during the final sprint. The race was particularly significant as it marked Johannes Boe's final participation at the World Championships, where he concluded with a bronze medal, honoring his illustrious career with 23 medals overall.
The French men's team, which had shown significant promise during the championships, faced challenges during the mass start. Eric Perrot emerged as the best Frenchman finishing 7th, followed by Emilien Jacquelin and Fabien Claude, who finished 11th and 15th, respectively. Notably, Quentin Fillon-Maillet faced disappointment, finishing 19th after unsuccessful shooting results impacted his race.
Despite the mixed results from the men's team, the French squad overall brought home 13 medals—equaling their record from last year—six of which were gold. This performance highlighted the country's strength at the championships, far surpassing the second-place Norway, which finished with nine medals.
The remarkable success of the French athletes dispels any notions of mediocrity, instead painting them as the front runners at the events this year. Michelon’s sentiment resonates well: "I think of my family, my boyfriend... I have a great team. I often say great performances are never done alone," reflecting the unity within the French squad.
These championships leave fans and athletes alike excited for what is to come, as the Norwegian team now looks forward to defending their title next year, and the French team aims to build upon their current achievements. The baton will pass to Otepaa, Finland, for the next Biathlon World Championships scheduled for 2026, with high hopes and expectations from the global audience for yet another showcase of biathlon excellence.