11.03 Paralympic Biathlon: Russian Storms to 3rd Gold in Sochi

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia, March 11 (R-Sport) – Russia’s Roman Petushkov claimed his third gold medal at the Sochi Paralympic Games on Tuesday, leading a host nation podium sweep in the biathlon 12.5-kilometer sitting event.

Despite thick fog at the Laura Biathlon & Ski Complex, the 36-year-old didn’t miss any of his 20 shots and beat second-placed compatriot Alexei Bychenok by 40.9 seconds.

It was the first Paralympic medal for 27-year-old Muscovite Bychenok, and also for 18-year-old Russian Grigory Murygin, who took bronze.

The Russians are traditionally strong in the 12.5-kilometer sitting biathlon event, winning every single medal on offer since it was introduced in Turin in 2006.

Petushkov also triumphed in the 7.5-kilometer biathlon event on Saturday and the 15-kilometer cross-country skiing race Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Germany’s Anja Wicker emerged victorious in the women’s 10-kilometer sitting biathlon competition.