Three reasons why Ihor Reptyukh loves skiing
21.01.2017Ukraine’s Sochi 2014 cross-country silver medallist has not looked back since swapping athletics for Para Nordic skiing.
Ihor Reptyukh was part of a Ukrainian double-act at Cable 2015, with him and Oleksandra Kononova winning the men's and women's long distance biathlon standing.
© • James Netz Photography
Ihor Reptyukh turned his attention into Para Nordic skiing after trying athletics and swimming, and it proved to be the right decision.
Since his international debut in 2011, the Ukrainian has not stopped improving. Two years later, Reptyukh won one gold and one bronze in biathlon at the World Championships in Solleftea, Sweden.
He caused a similar impact at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, when he sealed silver in the mixed 4x2.5km open relay open. Reptyukh followed that up with several World Cup wins, cementing himself as one of the world’s best in the sport.
With the World Para Nordic Skiing Championships in Finsterau, Germany, just around the corner, the Ukrainian mentioned his three favourite things about skiing.
Travelling
“Skiing provides a great opportunity to see things you have never seen before and visit places you have never visited.”
Victory
“I like to win. When you stand on the medal podium as a winner, you understand the time you spent training, the unbelievable effort that went into those moments. You know all those hours were not wasted.”
Improving my professional skills
“You have to improve your skills to be a winner. Taking time to work on your skills means it is easier to perform well when it really counts.”
The 2017 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships will gather the 135 of the world’s best biathletes and cross-country skiers from 25 countries and will be held in Finsterau, Germany, between 10-19 February.
