Oksana Masters in 'shock' after winning 20th Paralympic medal at Milano-Cortina Games

Oksana Masters, the most decorated American Winter Paralympian, surprised even herself by adding a 20th Paralympic medal to her overall tally at Milano Cortina 2026 on Saturday.

After overcoming a series of adversities that hindered her preparations in the leadup to the Games, Masters came through with victory in the women's sprint sitting discipline in Para biathlon, finishing ahead of fellow American Kendall Gretsch.

"Oh my gosh, my emotions are just pure shock. I did not expect this. All I was hoping was just to have a good time in the shooting range," she said. "I did not expect a podium finish to be honest, let alone a gold."

It was her sixth Winter Paralympic gold medal to go along with her four victories at the Summer Paralympics. She has competed in every Paralympics since 2012, earning medals in Para cross-country and Para biathlon in the winter, and Para cycling and Para rowing in the summer.

Masters was coming off a difficult season that included surgery, a bone infection and a concussion.

"I'm starting to realize that's who I am. I have to have adversity going into the Games, although I don't like it," she said. "The summer started out with surgery and then the last three weeks have been just absolutely a lot of time away from training, with infection and with a concussion, and battling, and just trusting the process and waiting.

"This is why this just means so much more, I did not expect this."

She thanked her "incredible team" to help her bounce back and triumph again.

"I'm the athlete that crosses the finish line, but we have an entire team with our coaches that are cheering with us, and our skis and our wax team," she said.

Masters now has won 15 medals in the Winter Games and five medals in the Summer