Just a week after standing on the sport’s biggest stage, these young athletes return to their peers – no longer simply “talents,” but full-fledged Olympians. From the bright lights of the Olympic stadium, the global audience, and the immense pressure, they step into a smaller, lighter setting. The scale changes, the atmosphere feels easier – but their ambitions remain as high as ever.

Estere Volfa: Holding Her Own Among the Elite

The Latvian did more than just participate at the Olympics – she competed. Sixteenth in the Sprint earned her a Pursuit start, and with the same calm precision on the range, she moved up to eleventh, missing only once across both races.

Her composure has been building all season. With nearly thirty World Cup starts, a top-25 Pursuit in Östersund, and fifth place in last year’s Junior Worlds Individual race, she arrives in Arber not only in form but with proven experience – her biggest advantage - something she also spoke about in our pre-Olympic interview, where she reflected on her preparation and expectations ahead of the Games.

Rihards Lozbers: Youth Making His Mark

At just 16, Lozbers is still a youth athlete, yet he already has seven World Cup starts and an Olympic appearance – experiences most peers can only imagine. He finished 32nd in the Sprint in Milano-Cortina, showing early maturity and clear talent.

Though this will be his first individual start at the Youth and Junior World Championships, Latvia can rely on two strong contenders – Volfa and Lozbers – giving the team real firepower.

Oleksandra Merkushyna: From EYOF Gold to Olympic Form

With 28 World Cup starts, Merkushyna is one of Ukraine’s most experienced juniors. She finished 17th in the Olympic Individual race – her best result among seniors – and achieved 9th place at the 2025 YJWCH in Östersund.

A former EYOF 2023 Girls’ Sprint winner, she heads to Arber for her final Junior Worlds, bringing experience, ambition, and readiness to fully step into the senior ranks.

Grzegorz Galica: Rising Among the Seniors

Poland’s Galica has competed exclusively at the senior level this season. He posted his Olympic best with 33rd in the Individual race, following a 23rd-place Pursuit at the World Cup in Oberhof.

At last year’s YJWCH, he was second among youth in the Individual race and helped Poland win bronze in the Junior Relay – proving he can deliver both individually and for his team.

Other Names to Watch

Several other successful juniors are moving from Antholz to Arber, each chasing a second-season highlight. Finland’s Inka Hamalainen helped her team to sixth in the Mixed Relay – Finland’s best result in this event since PyeongChang 2018. Croatia’s Matija Legovic is a four-time IBU Junior Cup winner, while Estonian prospect Jakob Kulbin claimed gold in the Youth Sprint in 2022 and finished fourth in last year’s Junior Worlds Individual race.

Photos: IBU Photopool