Timofei LAPSHIN

SWITCHING NATIONALITIES
Part of the Russian national team from 2010 to 2016, he gained Korean citizenship in late February 2017, after a process that began in September. Made his debut for Republic of Korea in March 2017 at the World Cup in PyeongChang. "Sometimes life turns out in a way that you could not even imagine. Some time ago, I could even imagine I could not myself that I would compete not under the Russian flag." (sport-express.ru, 02 Mar 2017)

DOPING SUSPENSION
In a retrospectively checked doping test from 2013, the prohibited substance tuaminoheptane was found. He was suspended for one year in September 2020. He was eligible to start competing again at the start of the 2021/22 season and became eligable to compete at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games.

SCHOOL
Attended Marininskaya secondary school number 16 and represented the Specialized Children's and Youth Sports School of the Olympic Reserve No 43 in Moscow.

© Data by Sports Data Warehouse

OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
At PyeongChang 2018, he recorded the highest finish of any Korean biathlete when he finished 16th in the sprint.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Four World Championship appearances, representing Russian Federation twice (2012, 2015) and Republic of Korea twice (2019-20).

Finished a career-high 14th in the individual at his first World Championships, his only race of the event. Had his second top-20 result in 2020, when he finished 17th in the sprint, but also competed in a career-high six races that year.

Relay silver medallist at the 2009 Junior World Championships in Canmore, his first international competition.

Two-time medallist at the 2019 Summer World Championships, winning the sprint and super sprint double, his first medals for Republic of Korea. Won his first medal in 2010, finishing second in the pursuit.

WORLD CUP
Has two World Cup wins and six total podiums while representing Russian Federation. His two victories, as part of the relay team, came during the 2014/15 season where he also had another relay podium.

His first of three individual podiums came in December 2011, finishing third at the Hochfilzen sprint. Later that season in February, he had a career-best result when he finished 0.8 seconds behind Martin Fourcade at the Kontiolahti sprint.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Two-time medallist winning relay silver in 2011 (Ridnaun) and pursuit bronze in 2013 (Bankso), for his first individual medal.

Won relay gold at the 2009 Junior European Championships in Ufa.