Medals update: Justine Braisaz-Bouchet wins first individual Olympic gold in Beijing 2022 biathlon

Frenchwoman Justine Braisaz-Bouchet won her maiden individual Olympic gold medal racing to victory in the women’s 12.5km mass start at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre on Friday (18 February).

The podium finishers all missed four targets on the shooting range, and it all came down to who was fastest on the skis.

Braisaz-Bouchet managed to hold off a late charge from Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff on the final 2.5km lap to cross the line in a winning time of 40:18.0. Eckhoff followed 15 seconds behind her for a record third medal in the event with a time of 40:33.3. Her compatriot Marte Olsbu Roeiseland rounded out the podium, clocking 40:52.9.

By bagging the bronze, Olsbu Roeiseland became only the second athlete – after Norwegian legend after Ole Einar Bjoerndalen – to finish on the podium in all four individual biathlon events at the Olympic Winter Games. The 31-year-old was won individual gold medals in the sprint and prone events and bronze in the 15km individual race.

*Women’s 12.5km mass start results: *

1- Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (FRA) – 40:18.0

2- Tiril Eckhoff (NOR) – 40:33.3

3- Marte Olsbu Roeiseland (NOR) – 40:52.9

More to follow.