Anya Bikker of the Netherlands captured gold in the women’s 12.5km classic individual event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, finishing in 38 minutes and 12.09 seconds. South Korea’s Kim Yujin earned silver, trailing by just 12.80 seconds with a time of 38:24.89.
Bikker Praises Kim’s Flat Terrain Dominance
Bikker highlighted Kim’s exceptional strength on flat sections, stating, “Kim maintained a perfect score on the flats with strong performance. I had no chance to catch her there—she really deserves it.” The Dutch athlete noted Kim’s precise pacing prevented any opportunity for a comeback.
Race Highlights and Head-to-Head Rivalry
In the earlier biathlon sprint 7.5km, Bikker edged Kim by 8.60 seconds for bronze after Kim hit four out of five shots. Kim reversed the result in the 12.5km cross-country, securing silver and a multi-medal haul for Bikker, who also won gold in the 10km at Sochi 2014, silver in 12.5km there, and relay bronze in Beijing 2022.
Both athletes lead in LW10.5 and LW10 classifications, respectively. Bikker stayed close until the final stages but couldn’t match Kim’s powerful flat surges, especially after mutual shooting exchanges where Kim’s accuracy shone.
Expert Analysis
Para biathlon and cross-country officials emphasize shooting and pace management. Legendary skier Sin Ye-hyeon remarked, “Looking only at shooting performance, Yujin ranks first—even masters acknowledge it.” Kim’s aggressive starts and flat dominance have impressed rivals from the gun.
Upcoming Cross-Country Sprint
Kim and Bikker advanced to the cross-country biathlon sprint on March 10. Top contenders include U.S. legend Oksana Masters, Kendra Gretsch, and the duo. Kim reflected post-medal, “Cross-country overall feels more exciting—the sprint is the most fun event.”
South Korea’s para nordic team nears its medal target under chief Chung Bun-hui. Kim, a 2006 Paralympic medalist, delivers her first medal here, boosting national hopes.
Biathlon Pursuit Provisional Results (after 5:45 p.m.): 1st Oksana Masters (USA, 2:29.32); 2nd (2:35.19); Kim Yujin 6th (2:44.74). Finals at 8:45 p.m. and 9:22 p.m.
