Kazakhstan’s Biathlon Team Kicks Off Summer Training with New Coaching Changes
Last season was packed with major competitions and meaningful results for our team. Athletes competed in the World Cups, the Winter World University Games, the Asian Winter Games and the World Championships - earning a total of 7 medals.
At the Winter Universiade Nikita Akimov won gold, while Arina Kryukova and Kirill Bauer brought home bronze medals. At the Asian Winter Games Vladislav Kireyev took gold in the sprint, Vadim Kurales earned silver and the relay teams added two more medals — bronze for the women and silver for the men.Despite the team’s solid performances, Kazakhstan dropped a few spots in the Nations Cup standings. This adds some extra pressure ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, where quota spots are based on team rankings from the pre-Olympic season. Currently, Kazakhstan holds two Olympic quotas with the possibility to earn more through individual points and wild card entries.
Coaching Staff Updates and Summer Plans
After the national championships in March, the team finalized its roster and kicked off the first summer training camp on May 14 in Pokljuka. The next camp begins on June 7 in Shchuchinsk, which will serve as the main hub for most of the team’s off-season training. A high-altitude camp is also planned in Bessans, France, later this summer.
Maksat Sharanov remains as head coach of the national team. However, there are updates to the senior coaching staff:
Sergey Sokolovsky has been promoted to senior coach of the men’s team. He previously led the men’s reserve team and has experience coaching the national teams of Belarus and Lithuania. Vladimir Korolkievich continues as senior coach of the women’s team, bringing with him deep experience from working with the national teams of Slovenia, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia.
Alexander Nikolaevich Mukhin concluded his role as head coach of the men’s team following a decision by the Federation to implement changes after the winter season.
Eyes on the Olympic Season
The 2025/2026 Biathlon World Cup kicks off on November 29 in Ostersund, Sweden. The biggest event of the season will be the Winter Olympic Games in Antholz, Italy, scheduled for February 8 to 22, 2026.
With a refreshed coaching staff, renewed focus and strong determination, Kazakhstan’s biathletes are ready to make their mark in the upcoming Olympic season.
