When Tereza Vobornikova last spoke about her career in 2022, she was just stepping into the world of senior biathlon — a young athlete collecting experience, learning, and trying to find her place among the best. Four years later, she returns as an Olympic medallist.

“If I could tell something to my younger self, I would say: just wait, don’t give up. It will come,” she says with a smile.

That patience paid off in the 2025/2026 season. Vobornikova claimed a bronze medal in the Olympic Mass Start and followed it up with a string of strong performances at the end of the World Cup season, including four top-10 finishes and another podium in Oslo.

A setback that changed everything

Ironically, the foundation for her breakthrough season was laid during a difficult period. Vobornikova recalls feeling in even better shape the year before, until pneumonia struck in October and disrupted her preparation at the worst possible time. The effects lingered for months, not only physically but mentally as well.

“Every time I caught something, I worried it would come back,” she says, describing how the experience affected her confidence. In hindsight, however, the setback became a turning point, pushing her to focus on areas she might have otherwise overlooked. “It forced me to work on things I might not have focused on otherwise — like breathing training. In the end, everything happens for a reason.”

Unlocking belief

One of the defining themes of Vobornikova’s season was not just physical progress, but a shift in belief. While her shooting remained stable, the biggest change came in her skiing — and in her mindset. “I’ve always trusted myself on the range, but in skiing I struggled with confidence,” Vobornikova admits.

That internal doubt had often held her back, until this season when things finally began to click and her performances started to feel more natural. The breakthrough was not just physical, but mental as well. “I realised how powerful the mind is — it can take you to a great result, but also to a bad one very quickly,” she says.

Learning to let go of expectations became key, and that shift was especially visible in the final part of the season, where a sense of freedom translated into some of her best results.

Growing into a new role

At the same time, Vobornikova has grown into a new position within the Czech team. Once the youngest member, she now finds herself between generations — no longer the newcomer, but not yet among the most experienced athletes. “I think I’ve found my place in the team,” she says, pointing to her role especially in relays.

Despite her breakthrough season, she remains grounded and focused on what comes next. Rather than chasing medals, her priority is consistency. “I would like my results to be more stable — not one race in the top 10 and the next one far behind.”

Away from the tracks, she is also balancing life beyond sport, including her upcoming university finals. Still, the biggest shift may have happened internally. “I really hope I unlocked something in myself this season,” she says. “Because now I’ve proven to myself that everything is possible.”

More than just biathlon

Away from the tracks, finding balance is not always easy. Like many athletes, Vobornikova looks for a break in simple, everyday activities that are otherwise rare during the season. “Going to the cinema or just wandering around a shopping mall — things that are normal for others are quite rare for us,” she says.

After the season, she also returned to alpine skiing, something she had avoided for years out of fear of injury, enjoying the chance to do something different again. Still, biathlon remains at the centre of everything.

Photos: Nordnes & Wizor/IBU, Tereza Vobornikova