Sochi: Defending champion Anastasiya Kuzmina of Slovakia on Sunday became the first woman to win two Olympic titles in the same individual biathlon when she stormed to victory in the 7.5km sprint.
The Russian-born Kuzmina won in a time of 21min 06min 8sec to see off Russia`s Olga Vilukhina who was 19.9sec behind.
Vita Semerenko of Ukraine took bronze, 21.7sec behind the champion.
"This victory in my homeland is a big thing. I am Russian after all, although I am Slovakian passport holder, this is my home," said Kuzmina.
She said she felt sympathy for her brother Anton who missed out on a medal in Saturday`s men`s sprint after missing the target with a final shot.
"There are mixed feelings involved. I felt for Anton yesterday. I didn`t see the whole race but I was crossing my fingers for him. When I approached the starting line today, I told myself, if it is my day, I will dedicate my medal to him."
Overall World Cup leader Tora Berger of Norway was down in 10th place, more than 33sec behind Kuzmina.
Kuzmina, Slovakia`s all-time greatest Winter Games athlete, is the only Slovak to ever win multiple medals at the Games, having taken gold in the sprint and silver in the 10km pursuit at Vancouver in 2010.
AFP
First Published: Monday, February 10, 2014, 00:04
