With the victory in the individual race at the World Junior Championships in Otepää, Russian Igor Malinovsky went down in history. He became the first junior five-time world champion, surpassing the previous achievement of the German Fabian Mund, who won four gold medals in 2000. A year ago, in the Slovak Brezno, Malinovsky became the champion in sprint, pursuit and relay, and now he has added success in the individual race to the team victory. If he still manages to win the sprint and the pursuit, then he will equal the unique achievement of Magdalena Neuner, who was the first gold medal won the world championship at the age of 17.

How to treat such an achievement? On the one hand, among the many three-time champions, there are many random people, such as the same Mund. On the other hand, this cohort includes Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, Emil Hegle Svendsen, Simon Fourcade, Andi Birnbacher and two Russians - Sergey Chepikov and Anton Shipulin, who have become our best biathletes of their decades. Most of these stars enchanted only one championship, and the next they switched to adult biathlon, and Igor was delayed and did not even get a chance to qualify for the Olympics.

Forget the marinade. Our biathlon needs them right now

The deadlocked Russian biathlon needs fresh blood, and our young talents are already conquering the World Cup and waiting for a chance in the first team.

Between biathlon and aviation

Malinovsky was born and raised in Kamchatka in the family of a helicopter pilot. When the guy was 11 years old, a big biathlon came to the peninsula. The stars of the strongest biathlon teams came to the Fatyanov memorial to play for Gazprom cars, and then did it for another three years. However, the conditions for biathlon in Kamchatka have never been conducive to high results.

The most eminent Kamchatka biathlete Dmitry Yaroshenko became a mature master already in Khanty-Mansiysk. So Igor moved to Omsk to fulfill his dream, although she was not entirely connected with biathlon. From childhood, the guy dreamed of following in his father's footsteps and learning how to pilot a helicopter - perhaps the most valuable form of transport in Kamchatka. The nearest flight school is based just in Omsk. Since then, biathlon and aviation have been tearing Igor apart. Even at a recent press conference after winning another medal of the highest standard, he said that his favorite metal was not gold at all, but duralumin.

Several times he faced the choice of continuing his career as a biathlete or becoming a professional pilot, and every time he put off the decision. The last such choice was in December, when he rashly announced the upcoming start on social networks as the last one in his career. Fortunately for many fans, Igor changed his mind and has already won four victories in a row. He started the series at the European Championships in Pokljuka, and continued already in Otepää at the World Championships.

There is a place, but no words. Where are the American provocateurs going?

Well, yes, those who, the day before the closing of the Games, suddenly yelled in an even chorus about the boycott of biathlon in Russia. Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today.

What's next?

It is already obvious that Malinovsky has grown out of junior pants and you need to start running him in as early as possible. His peer Sebastian Samuelsson, with whom they raced together at the European Olympic Youth Festival, has already become Olympic champion. Igor should be given the opportunity to sniff gunpowder in Tyumen, and then compete with the best at the Russian Championship, where, in addition to the usual medals, prize money for ineligible Olympians will be played.

The Russian team promises to enter the next season with a new leadership and coaching staff. It is still difficult to judge how the national team will be recruited, but one place in it should be reserved for the best junior. He has four more years ahead of him, but the Russian biathlon, which has come to a standstill, definitely needs fresh blood, new names are needed. Maybe from Malinovsky and biathlon Sergey Ustyugov will turn out.

Igor Malinovsky is a successful biathlete from Russia. Participated in the World Cup, more than once became the world and European champion among young athletes. He is a master of sports of the Russian Federation.

Childhood and youth

The future young biathlon star was born in the spring, March 18, 1997, in the village of Milkovo, Kamchatka Region. Igor Malinovsky's father had his own airline Rubus Air.

When Igor was 11 years old, the world's strongest biathletes came to Kamchatka to raffle off Gazprom cars. Competitions were held annually for the next three years.

In childhood, I tried to practice sambo and judo, but it did not work out with martial arts. He became interested in skiing after he successfully ran a cross-country race with ninth graders in the eighth grade.

After that, for some time the guy was unlucky in competitions. On the All-Russian tournament in the 11th grade, the young man was barely persuaded to go. And for good reason: Igor took second place. After graduating from school, he entered the Omsk flight school. In Omsk, he began to train under the supervision of Zhadgir Kagirovich Makhambetov. The first coach of the young man was Kotov Yuri Grigorievich.

Biathlon

In fact, Igor's career biography began in the 2015-2016 season. In 2015, he won the A. Strepetov Memorial Prize. Then he went to the Junior Cup in Lenzerheide. The individual race brought the young athlete fourth place. But the sprint race allowed the young man to stand on the second step of the podium. The World Championship among young athletes in 2016 was successful for Igor. At Keile Gradistei he won the sprint, second in the pursuit and relay and fifth in the individual.

The 2016-2017 season brought Igor victory in the IBU Cup in the relay and mixed relay. He took first place in the sprint race. In 2017, at the European Junior Championships, he won a gold medal in the individual race. But in the sprint, he came to the finish line only 64th.

At the World Championships among young athletes, he won three times in a row: in the sprint, pursuit and relay. In the individual race came 14th. In March 2017, he started in the IBU Cup at the stage in Otepa. In the mixed relay, he took 4th place, in the sprint - 23rd.

Personal life

Igor's father, Vladimir, is a helicopter pilot. The young man has been flying with his dad since childhood. At the beginning of May 2018, Igor defended his diploma on the topic "Analysis of the features of the flight operation of the Mi-8 helicopter in difficult takeoff and landing conditions." If the defense is successful, then the young pilot will receive a license to fly a helicopter.

Igor is often asked what he will choose - biathlon or aviation. So far, the young man is slow to answer, because he wants to stay in sports and pilot. He believes that in both cases one should remain collected, otherwise the price of a mistake will be high.

At young man there is a microblog on Instagram, where he shares personal photos. Igor began to lead an Instagram page from February 5, 2018, posting a picture after winning the European Championship.

“My profile will begin with this winning photo. Thank you all for your support! moving on,” he wrote.

Many are wondering if Igor's heart is busy, and if so, what is his girlfriend doing. However, the information whether Malinovsky has a romantic relationship is not available to prying eyes. It is only known that the young man is not married.

Igor's fans maintain an athlete's fan page on Instagram, where they post pictures of their favorite athlete.

Igor Malinovsky's favorite biathlon discipline is the mass start.

Prefers Fischer skis, and the Anschutz rifle.

The height of the athlete is 174 cm, weight - 72 kg.

In March 2018, the commentator wrote an emotional post dedicated to Igor Malinovsky on his microblog on Instagram. In the note, he wondered why Igor was not taken to the adult World Cup. According to Guberniev, the young biathlete is able to run at an adult level and achieve unprecedented heights. Dmitry's post was a response to the statement by the head coach of the Russian national team Andrey Padin that Malinovsky was still too early for the adult Cup. Igor himself admitted in an interview that it was a shame from Padin's words.

Igor Malinovsky now

Now Igor combines biathlon training and pilot studies. In February 2018, he won three gold medals at the European Championships: in the pursuit, sprint and mixed relay. Following at the World Championships among young athletes, he won the relay and individual race.

As a result, Igor Malinovsky became the most titled junior, having won five medals. He overtook the record of Fabian Mund who won four medals in 2000. The athlete himself tries not to think about his awards, but perceives this as one of the pleasant aspects of his career path.

On March 18, 2018, it became known that Igor would go as part of the team to the World Cup stage in Tyumen.

Awards and achievements

• 2016 - IBU Junior Cup - 1st (relay)
• 2017 - IBU Junior Cup - 2nd (sprint)
• 2017 - IBU Junior Cup - 1st (mixed relay)
• 2017 - World Championship - juniors - 1st place (relay)
• 2017 - World Championship - juniors - 1st place (pursuit)
• 2017 - World Championship - juniors - 1st place (sprint)
• 2017 - European Junior Championship - 1st place (individual race)
• 2017 - World Championship summer biathlon– 2nd place (pursuit)
• 2017 - Summer Biathlon World Championship - 1st place (sprint)
• 2017 - Summer Biathlon World Championship - 1st place (mixed relay)
• 2018 - World Championship - juniors - 1st place (individual race)
• 2018 - World Championship - juniors - 1st place (relay)
• 2018 - European Junior Championship - 1st place (sprint)
• 2018 - European Junior Championship - 1st place (pursuit)
• 2018 - European Junior Championships - 1st (mixed relay)

Igor, did you expect to make your debut at the World Cup at the age of 19?

I, like all young athletes, dreamed that I would make my debut, but when they told me, it was a pleasant surprise for me.

What were the main instructions your coach Zhadgir Makhambetov gave before the race?

He is an experienced coach, knows my weaknesses and strengths knows how to point them in the right direction. At a certain hour, he will calmly say "Everything will be fine." From him always emanates care and warmth. I believe that it is the relationship between the coach and the athlete that is an important part in achieving high results.

What were the difficulties of performing at the World Cup?

The World Cup already speaks for itself. The strongest, fastest and most experienced go there. I am proud that I had such an honor, that I was appreciated, and given the opportunity to compete with the stars of the world biathlon.

You are very disappointed because of not getting into the pursuit race. You shot well, but lost the move. What is worth working on?

I was just one step away from the pursuit. It's over, it's a shame, I still wanted to fight, gain experience. But as my mother always tells me: "Step over and move on." Such races motivate you to go forward, and you get important experience from them.

What advice did our biathletes give, how did they support you?

The team treated me friendly, understanding, and everyone helped with advice.

Who do you think is the favorite in the world biathlon? Were you able to chat with someone?

My favorites have always been and remain the Boe brothers, but unfortunately I did not have time to talk with them.

After the end of the season, the work of the national team, coaches and the Russian Biathlon Union was criticized. Do you think it is justified?

Experienced coaches work in the national team, they have a lot of experience, I respect them very much. I have no right to evaluate their work, I am too young an athlete.

This season has been good for me. I completed the tasks set, I don’t think for the future, but I will work. I'm not going to stop there.

Are you still interested in aviation? And what is in the foreground - biathlon or helicopters?

Love for aviation since childhood, so I entered the only civil helicopter school in the country. It is interesting to study, experienced teachers never refuse to help, and I am very grateful to them for this. I dream of flying high and running fast, so biathlon goes in parallel with me. But both of them still have a lot to learn.

What are your plans for the near future? You are now fully immersed in your studies. Are you planning to take a break?

At the moment, as always, I do not have enough time, I need to improve my studies, catch up with fellow students. It's very hard, but I'm not used to dwelling on the difficulties. Of course, I'm tired and I want to go home to my native land, where they love and wait for me.

Reference:

Igor Malinovsky was born in 1997 in the village of Milkovo, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Territory. He started biathlon in Kamchatka, and at the age of 17 he moved to Omsk and began to represent it at competitions. He is the most titled junior in the world. Master of Sports of Russia, participant of the World Cup, repeated world and European champion among juniors. In March 2017, he made his debut in the IBU Cup at the Otepää stage, finishing fourth in the mixed relay and 23rd in the sprint. On March 16, 2018, at the IBU Cup stage in Khanty-Mansiysk, he took 26th place in the sprint, and became fourth in the pursuit race.

Photo courtesy of Igor Malinovsky