WC in summer biathlon 2023 – Osrblie
7.5 km pursuit race – junior women:
It gets rough. Slovak junior representative Ema Kapustová won a silver medal in the pursuit race at the WC in summer biathlon.
In Osrblí, she started from second place, which she won in Saturday’s sprint, losing 26 seconds to the leading Bulgarian Lora Hristová.
However, in the “chaser”, the Slovak shot much better, she quickly caught up with the aforementioned rival and they came together for the final shooting.
The battle of nerves was better handled by Kapustová, who whitewashed all five targets. The Bulgarian made two mistakes and it seemed that the winner was decided.
However, Hristová performed a great running performance in the final 1.5-kilometer circuit and not only erased the 18-second deficit, but also overtook Kapustová by two seconds at the final finish.
Kapustová: One wants to, but it is not possible
She was overcome by emotions at the finish line and cried for second place. However, she praised her opponent in a statement after the race. “She had really good running form,” said Kapustová. Hristová won all junior individual medals at these WCs.
In the last round, when she loaded 20 seconds, Kapustová really had enough. “I had the motivation and visions of the first place, that it was close. I was already loaded. One wants, but it is not possible,” she commented.
As she said herself, her legs got stiff in the last lap and Hristová had a better position to the finish from the corner. “If it was the other way around, it would be even tighter,” she mentioned.
She was held by gunfire
Emu Kapustová’s shooting kept her in the chase, she made only one mistake on the second item in the prone position. Hristová made up to five mistakes, but her fast run took her to the throne.
In the last stand, the Bulgarian made two mistakes, which Kapustová also noticed. “It’s not supposed to be done, but I noticed that she didn’t hit. I went either-or and tried to burn it there as quickly as possible. It was zero, which made me happy,” she elaborated.
She herself admitted that she was not at all good enough to compete with her opponent. “She’s better and I hope we meet at a race soon and I can give it back to her,” she challenged.
Kapustová is the most successful Slovakian at these WCs, as she took home two medals from the domestic championship. “I think it’s great as a summer preparation for winter.
So far it’s going in a good direction. We still have a lot to work on. Although winter is just around the corner, we still have plenty of time,” she presented her plans.
Don’t be afraid to shoot
These WCs showed her before the winter that she should not be afraid to shoot at pace and quickly. “It showed that the running form is going in a good direction. There is a little bit of improvement in that momentum, even if it’s not there yet,” she revealed.
Kapustová is 20 years old and can work in the junior categories for one more year. He has no ambitions for the World Cup. “For me, the junior world and European championships are a priority. I would definitely go to see the junior IBU Cup as well.
I will also start at the senior IBU Cup. For now, the World Cup is not a priority for me. I’m concentrating on the next championships,” she added.
The Slovak can see for herself that she is improving in terms of performance. “It’s going in a good direction. I definitely feel better on the skis and physically than I have in the past years.
There is still work to be done and the world is one step ahead. I have to work on myself and it will be better then,” concluded the two-time world junior vice-champion.
2023-08-27 09:32:32
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