Biathlon: Gaia Brunello, the first Brazilian woman to win a world championship since 2013
After taking Brazilian sporting nationality at the end of 2024, Gaia Brunello, who until then had been competing in Italian colours, immediately shone on the IBU Cup stage. So much so that she managed to secure her ticket for the biathlon world championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland).
On Friday afternoon, Gaia Brunello took the start of the sprint, putting Brazil back in the Worlds for the first time since 2013. A long way off the time set by Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, the new world champion in the speciality, she finished sixty-fifth. Brazil’s best result at the Worlds, she tells Nordic Magazine. Interview.
- How did you feel about your first race at the World Championships?
It was an unforgettable experience. I was excited at the start, but once the race got underway, I concentrated on my performance. Shooting 10/10 gives me great confidence and I’m really proud of my accuracy. The atmosphere, the competition and the energy of the event made this race an incredible moment in my career.
- You say you felt a sense of excitement before the start of the sprint: can you tell us more?
I wasn’t nervous at all. I just told myself to do what I had to do and enjoy the moment. I concentrated on that, enjoying the opportunity to take part in my first world championships. I didn’t think too much about it and the rest came naturally.
“I’m very happy with my race”Gaia Brunello for Nordic Magazine
- What does it mean to you to be taking part in the world championships?
It’s a dream come true. It was an incredible feeling to represent my country on such an important stage, and I was particularly proud to be the first Brazilian woman to compete in 12 years. Knowing that I was making Brazilian biathlon history made the moment even more special. It wasn’t just about my performance, but also about inspiring others and showing that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
- Are you satisfied with your race, despite narrowly missing out on qualification for the chase?
I’m certainly very happy with my race! The conditions at the shooting range were really difficult, but I managed it perfectly, achieving a 10/10 which I’m very proud of. Unfortunately, as you said, I missed out on qualifying for the pursuit by just 11 seconds. My skiing form wasn’t the best as I was very tired, which made cross-country skiing difficult. Despite that, I really enjoyed the experience and took a lot of positives from the race.
“I’m extremely proud to have achieved Brazil’s best result at the Worlds!”Gaia Brunello for Nordic Magazine
- Incidentally, you achieved Brazil’s best ever result at the World Championships: are you proud of that?
I’m extremely proud to have achieved Brazil’s best result at the World Championships! Even though I didn’t qualify for the pursuit, reaching this milestone for my country means a lot to me. It shows how far Brazilian biathlon has come and motivates me to keep improving. I hope this result can inspire other athletes in my country and prove that with dedication, anything is possible, even in a sport that is not traditional in Brazil.
- What is your programme for the second week of the World Championships?
The only race I have left is the individual. After that, I’ll head home to recover properly and spend some time with my family. It will be important to rest and recharge my batteries so that I’m back in good shape for the final races of the season.
- Brazil’s Gaia Brunello, who qualified for the World Championships in Lenzerheide, tells Nordic Magazine: “I feel a sense of pride”.
- “When I saw Lucas Pinheiro Braathen’s exploits, I felt incredibly motivated”: why did Italian Gaia Brunello decide to become a Brazilian sportswoman?
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- Quentin Fillon-Maillet annoyed at being sidelined in the mixed relay at the world championships in Lenzerheide: “I thought I deserved more consideration from the staff”.
- Lenzerheide: France, with Julia Simon, Lou Jeanmonnot, Eric Perrot and Emilien Jacquelin, retain their world mixed relay title
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- “Ten years on, Franziska Preuss has won her second individual world medal in the sprint at Lenzerheide.
- “She really believed in her chances”: in the Lenzerheide sprint, Suvi Minkkinen became the third Finn to win a world medal.
- “I’m a fighter, I won’t give up”: assures Lena Haecki-Gross, who came very close to winning a medal on home soil in the sprint at the World Championships.
- “Sometimes you just have to let go”: Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, who struggled at the World Championships in Lenzerheide, broke down in tears after the sprint.
- “I’m very proud”: Maya Cloetens tells Nordic Magazine how she made Belgian biathlon history by finishing eighth in the sprint at the World Championships in Lenzerheide.
- The quest for a first individual world title: why this could be the right year for Quentin Fillon-Maillet, who starts the Lenzerheide sprint this Saturday.
- Lenzerheide: Johannes Thingnes Boe crushes the sprint to win a fourth world gold medal in the discipline, Quentin Fillon-Maillet gets a tan
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- “I’m going to miss that feeling of being the best in the world”: Johannes Thingnes Boe continues to make history by winning the sprint at his last World Championships
- “Winning a first medal feels great”: bronze in the Lenzerheide sprint, Quentin Fillon-Maillet kicks off his World Championships in style
- “I feel really lucky”: at 22, Campbell Wright entered the big leagues by winning silver in the sprint at the World Championships.
- Lenzerheide: “I’m not going to spit on this race”: on the World Championships sprint, Tommaso Giacomel was reassured after the mixed relay
- Lenzerheide: the Swedes look grim after their unsuccessful sprint at the Worlds
- Lenzerheide: who is Sean Benson, who finished last in the sprint?
