Campbell Wright made history by becoming the fifth American to win an individual medal at the World Biathlon Championships. He achieved a remarkable feat by earning two silver medals in one event in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. Wright claimed silver in the 10km sprint on Saturday and followed it up with another silver in the 12.5km pursuit on Sunday.
At just 22 years old, Wright, who was born in New Zealand to American parents, finished behind Norwegian star Johannes Thingnes Bø in both races. After the sprint, he shared his excitement, saying, “This is what every kid dreams of. I was surprised to achieve this so early in my career.” He had originally set his sights on achieving such milestones in his late 20s or 30s.
Bø, a seasoned athlete who plans to retire after this season, won his 21st and 22nd world championship gold medals, surpassing the record held by Ole Einar Bjørndalen. In Saturday’s race, Bø shot perfectly and finished 27.7 seconds ahead of Wright, who also had a flawless shooting performance.
Wright’s two medals mark a significant milestone for American biathlon. He becomes the youngest American biathlete to win an individual medal at the world championships, joining the ranks of past medalists like Josh Thompson, Tim Burke, and Susan Dunklee.
On Sunday, Wright shot 19 out of 20 targets and finished just 8.6 seconds behind Bø. Starting in second place based on sprint results, he felt no pressure during the pursuit. Wright expressed his joy, stating, “I proved everything I needed to prove yesterday. Today, I was able to race freely.”
Born after his family moved from New Zealand’s North Island to the South Island, Wright’s journey began when he discovered skiing. His neighbor’s grandmother co-founded Snow Farm, where he learned to ski. A chance opportunity allowed him to train in Canada, igniting his passion for the sport.
Wright later moved to Europe, where he faced challenges living with athletes from different countries in a hostel. He shifted his focus to biathlon and participated in the 2022 Olympics for New Zealand, finishing 32nd and 75th in two events. After working as a barista during the offseason, he transitioned to the U.S. team in 2023.
Now a dual citizen, Wright has seen impressive growth while representing the U.S., finishing in the top ranks at recent World Championships. He celebrated a fourth-place finish in a World Cup race last December, which prompted his teammates to shave their heads in support—an unexpected but humorous moment for him.
With his two silver medals, Wright is now on track to qualify for the 2026 U.S. Olympic team, making him a promising talent to watch in the future.
