The Biathlon World Cup 2023 in Oberhof has long since become Johannes Thingnes Bø’s personal playground. After his outstanding triumph in the individual, even the competition is at a loss for words. A German coaching legend already sees the Norwegian ahead of Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Martin Fourcade and Co. in the all-time list of the best and described him as the best of all time.
Four races, four wins and not a bit tired: Johannes Thingnes Bø is about to set a record for eternity at the 2023 Biathlon World Championships.
To date, no athlete has managed to win every race at a World Championship. The 29-year-old from Stryn is now on the verge of it. The relay gold with Norway has already been booked, and victory in the single mixed relay is also very likely. That leaves the mass start, in which the superstar can actually only beat himself.
The competition has long since accepted Bø’s superiority. After his victory in the singles, his “opponents” bowed in rows for the serial winner.
“If his two sticks don’t break and he doesn’t fall, he can’t be caught,” said Swedish shooting coach Johan Hagstrom on “SVT” about the Dominator. His colleague Björn Ferry agreed and said: “He would probably even win if both sticks break. It only becomes difficult when he breaks both legs.”
Bø’s teammate and this season’s “permanent second” Sturla Holm Laegreid is slowly at a loss given his compatriot’s abilities and said after the individual: “He could have crossed the finish line backwards.” What gives him hope for the future? Not much. “We’ll see how long he can beat us. Maybe at some point he’ll get tired of beating us so many times.”
Biathlon star is “so damn good”
The Swede Jesper Nelin is now doing the same as many other competitors. He too has no idea who should beat Bø and how. “He’s just going incredibly well. He’s really that damn good. I don’t know what you have to do to be able to beat him.”
For the German coaching legend Wolfgang Pichler it has long been clear that Johannes Thingnes Bø is the best exceptional biathlete of all time. “I’ve never seen someone like him. He’s better than Ole Einar Bjørndalen and better than Martin Fourcade. He’s the best of all time,” Pichler ennobled the Norwegian.