Biathlon: Endre Stroemsheim showed his muscles in the final
Few would have expected Endre Stroemsheim to win the closing mass-start of the biathlon world championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland). And yet, the Norwegian thwarted all predictions on Sunday in the sunny canton of Grisons.
One of the few biathletes to have only made one mistake in this demanding head-to-head race, the Scandinavian came within touching distance of his compatriot and main rival of the day, world number one Sturla Holm Lægreid, in the final lap.
With little to show for his efforts in the first week of the world event, where his best result was seventh place in the sprint, the 27-year-old biathlete was determined to make his mark by winning world gold for the first time in his individual career.
Winner of the IBU Cup’s crystal globe just two seasons ago, Endre Stroemsheim has gone one step further by not letting himself be impressed by his experienced team-mate. It’s a real coup for Endre today,” admits Sturla Holm Lægreid to NRK. His title is well deserved.
An XXL performance that the man who already won this event in Pokljuka (Slovenia) in 2021 wasn’t the only one to praise: “He had a great weekend. He has great ability and he’s a superb world champion,” said Johannes Thingnes Boe, tanned for his last race at the World Championships.
“I said that Saturday’s relay was the best race I’d ever done, but it was even better today”.Endre Stroemsheim at NRK
Visibly moved and still surprised by his performance, Endre Stroemsheim was still unable to fully realise the achievement he had patiently built up. “I shot well and was able to save all my energy. I knew I could make the difference in the last lap,” he says. I didn’t want to wait for Johannes to catch up and I set off earlier than planned.
Never again troubled after his attack, despite the fantastic duel between Sturla Holm Lægreid and Johannes Thingnes Boe just a few seconds behind him, the native ofOslo (Norway) was back in the big league more than ever. “I feel very happy. I said that Saturday’s relay was the best race I’d ever done, but it was even better today,” he conceded. It was a perfect race.
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