“Ukraine's Anthem Will Definitely Play.” Vasyl Pokotylets's Forecast for the 2026 Junior World Biathlon Championships
An exclusive comment from an expert for DeTalks.
The Junior World Biathlon Championships are about to begin in Germany. Competition among junior men, junior women, youth men, and youth women runs February 28 to March 8 in Arber, where Ukraine will be represented by 19 athletes.
The World Championships will be the young biathletes' last international event of the 2025/26 season. Before this, the athletes had already completed three rounds of the Junior IBU Cup, in Gomsi, Val Martello, and Madona, as well as held the most successful Junior European Biathlon Championships in Ukrainian history.
DeTalks is covering Ukrainian athletes' results at the 2026 Junior World Biathlon Championships. Follow the editorial team's Telegram channel to stay on top of the latest news.
Ahead of the upcoming 2026 Junior World Biathlon Championships, the DeTalks team spoke with Vasyl Pokotylets, head of the Lutsk Biathlon Federation and editor of the Facebook community 'Ukrainian Biathlon Federation (Fans).'
Among the leaders of Team Ukraine heading into the World Championships, the expert singled out Oleksandra Merkushyna, who joined the junior team following the 2026 Olympics.
"I have several Ukrainian biathletes right away at the upcoming Junior World Championships who I expect medal-level results from. Oleksandra Merkushyna, for example, who last year brought us our only medal, in the Mass Start 60."
"Sasha is a very talented biathlete who had a solid Olympic debut. The World Championships in Arber will be her last as a junior, so I believe she'll definitely give the fans something to celebrate."
Besides Oleksandra, Vasyl named Taras and Tetiana Tarasiuk as leaders of the national team, who together brought Ukraine gold in the single mixed relay at the Junior Europeans, with Tetiana also winning four medals at the Junior IBU Cup.
"Taras and Tetiana Tarasiuk? Very talented, strong biathletes who've already proven their leadership status. Tetiana currently leads the Junior IBU Cup rankings, and Taras is sixth in the overall standings. So I see the brother and sister as medal contenders at the 2026 Junior World Championships."
"I'd also like to highlight the talented Polina Putsko, Pokotylets added. A very hard-working junior who I believe will show strong results at these World Championships."
"Of course, my biggest hope at these competitions is Alina Khmil, Kyrylo Kulchytskyi, and Nazarii Savonik. And not just because these biathletes are part of our Volyn team. They're very ambitious athletes who can fight for a spot on the World Championship podium."
"Overall, the team's lineup is quite battle-ready, and Ukraine's anthem will definitely play at the Arber-2026 sports arena. I want to wish our team winning starts, and our fans — faith and respect for our athletes, because they're the best we've got!" Vasyl summed up.
Team Ukraine's Roster for the 2026 Junior World Biathlon Championships
- Junior Men — Oleksandr Bilanenko, Dmytro Kriukov, Ivan Steblyna, Andrii Moroz.
- Junior Women — Oleksandra Merkushyna, Tetiana Tarasiuk, Kseniia Prykhodko, Polina Putsko, Valeriia Sheihas, Iryna Shevchenko (reserve).
- Youth Men — Taras Tarasiuk, Kostiantyn Martseniuk, Yaroslav Harkusha, Kyrylo Kulchytskyi, Nazar Savonik.
- Youth Women — Viktoriia Khvostenko, Alina Khmil, Sofiia Svystun, Khrystyna Ruda.
The first races of the Junior World Biathlon Championships take place as early as February 28 — the World Championships open that day with the youth men's and junior men's individual races. The youth women and junior women, in turn, start March 1.
2026 Junior World Biathlon Championships (Arber, Germany): Competition Schedule
Saturday, February 28
- 11:30 — Individual race, youth men, 12.5 km,
- 15:30 — Individual race, junior men, 15 km
Sunday, March 1
- 11:30 — Individual race, youth women, 10 km
- 15:30 — Individual race, junior women, 12.5 km
Monday, March 2
- 12:00 — Mixed relay, youth men and women
- 15:45 — Mixed relay, junior men and women
Tuesday, March 3
- 11:30 — Sprint, youth men, 7.5 km
- 15:30 — Sprint, junior men, 10 km
Wednesday, March 4
- 11:30 — Sprint, youth women, 6 km
- 15:30 — Sprint, junior women, 7.5 km
Friday, March 6
- 11:30 — Mass Start 60, junior men, 12 km
- 12:30 — Mass Start 60, junior women, 9 km
- 15:40 — Mass Start 60, youth men, 12 km
- 16:40 — Mass Start 60, youth women, 9 km
Saturday, March 7
- 12:00 — Relay, youth men, 3x7.5 km
- 15:30 — Relay, junior men, 4x7.5 km
Sunday, March 8
- 11:30 — Relay, youth women, 3x6 km
- 15:30 — Relay, junior women, 4x6 km
DeTalks is covering Ukrainian athletes' results at the 2026 Junior World Biathlon Championships. Follow the editorial team's Telegram channel to stay on top of the latest news.