8 September 2025

Lukashenko congratulates Smolski on winning pursuit at Commonwealth Cup in Sochi

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has congratulated Belarusian biathlete Anton Smolski on his victory in the pursuit at the first stage of the 2025/26 Commonwealth Cup held in Russia’s Sochi, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.

“Anton, thank you! It was a beautiful and solid win!” the message of congratulations reads.

At the initial stage of the Commonwealth Cup, athletes competed in summer biathlon on roller skis. Anton Smolski began the 12.5 km race 17 seconds back in third. Despite one miss at the first shoot, the Belarusian surged into the lead after the second prone stage. A single penalty in standing – just one miss out of ten shots – was not enough to challenge his dominance, and he retained first place. The Belarusian held on to finish a dominant minute ahead of silver medalist Nikita Porshnev of Russia. Oleg Domichek completed the podium in third. 

Source