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Russian biathletes sweep podium again at 2015 Winter Universiade in Slovakia

Yury Shopi won gold, Yaroslav Ivanov scored silver, and Maxim Burtasov got bronze

OSRBLIE (Slovakia), January 28. /TASS/. Same three Russian biathletes, but in different order ascended the podium for the second day in a row showing the best results in men’s 12.5 km pursuit on Wednesday at the at 2015 Winter Universiade Nordic Skiing and Biathlon held in Slovakia’s Strbske Pleso and Osrblie between January 24 and February 1.

Yury Shopin was precise at the shooting range hitting all targets and finished the distance in 30 minutes 25.5 seconds to win gold. Yaroslav Ivanov, who was leading most of the race, missed one shot and finished 1.5 seconds behind Shopin to take the silver. Maxim Burtasov finished the distance in the third place with three missed shots and packed the bronze.

Same three Russian biathletes were on the podium in different order on Tuesday after winning men’s 10 km sprint. Ivanov won the gold, Burtasov silver and Shopin bronze.

"Today it's different like yesterday. We changed the competition and for me the gunfire was clear. I am very happy, because it's really good for my career," Shopin told journalists after today’s race.

Shopin’s bronze on Tuesday was the second for the 21-year-old Russian biathlete at this Universiade after his was third in men’s 20 km individual on Sunday.

Ivanov said that although he was disappointed with one missed shot in today’s 12.5 pursuit, which caused him gold, he was on the whole happy with the success of the Russian national team.

"Form was different than yesterday. I was very tired, I had a lead, but it was not enough. But I am very happy, because for Russia itґs a big success like yesterday," Ivanov, 23, told journalists.

According to the official website of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the Winter Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival which is staged every two years in a different city.

It is only second to the Olympic Games. The program of the Winter Universiade currently includes 6 compulsory sports (8 compulsory disciplines) and up to 3 optional sports chosen by the host country.

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