The 2025/2026 biathlon season has come to an end, and for the master's student of the Instrument-Making Faculty of the Belarusian National Technical University, biathlete, leader of the national team Anton Smolsky, it was truly bright. The athlete not only made it into the list of the best shooters of the season according to the Russian Biathlon Union, but also achieved several significant victories, confirming his high level of training and his ability to win in any conditions.
Reflecting on what made the 2025/2026 season memorable, the master's student highlighted several important moments — from the specifics of each start cycle to the main event at the home arena:
— Each season is individual, I would say, exceptional. And we approach each season differently. It has a certain significant competition and key moments. This season was difficult, it was, so to speak, "Olympic". And, unfortunately, we did not make it to the Olympic Games. But, nevertheless, there were many important and interesting competitions, such as the Commonwealth Cup, the Russian Championship. And I will note that the stage of the Commonwealth Cup in Raubichi, which took place at home, was the most memorable competition, when the stands were always full, and along the tracks were our native people who helped and supported us, — Anton noted, emphasizing that such an atmosphere gives special strength.
Anton considers not a single specific victory, but their totality, to be the most important achievement of the season.
— As my main achievements, I will note the victories that took place throughout the season. There is no one specific, single victory. I will note that many victories in combination gave inspiration for the next and for future moments.
— Please list your victories that took place this season.
— My first victory happened at the stage of the Commonwealth Cup in Sochi in the summer. The weather was difficult: rain and challenging conditions. Nevertheless, I managed to win and finish with the flag, with an advantage. My second victory happened in Khanty-Mansiysk. I won at the stage of the Russian Cup. One might say, I won against the Russians, on their home turf. That was also an interesting moment because Khanty-Mansiysk has always been famous for its difficult, harsh weather and heavy climbs. The next victory happened in Tchaikovsky, also at a stage of the Commonwealth Cup, and that victory happened despite many factors and thanks to very high-quality, impressive shooting. I have rewatched that race and will rewatch it several times, because my shooting percentage there was 100%. The next one — in the Commonwealth Cup, it was also difficult and challenging. Literally the next day, our whole team won the relay race. Then there was a difficult period for Belarusian biathlon, there were no victories for perhaps even a whole month, but a very important victory happened at the Russian Championship in the men's relay race. And I will note that for five years we had not won the men's relay. This is a very significant and important moment. One can say that the whole team is motivated and determined to win. No matter what happens, whatever the state of the athletes, they go out, fight, and win.
The athlete perceives being included in the list of the best shooters of the 2025/2026 season as a stimulus to move forward.
— You always want more, and there is no limit to perfection, and I see huge potential in this component, because 100% shooting is a number that is difficult to achieve, but achievable. I had 86% this season, so, as you see, there is another 14% of reserve, which I will work hard on in the next season.
Anton Smolsky separately addressed the role of the university in his successes, because without knowing the basics of technical sciences, it is difficult to achieve high results in sports.
— Studying does not interfere with my preparation, achievements, results; on the contrary, it helps me. I have said this many times: high-performance sport is already a battle of technologies. To put it simply, if you don't know physics, it is very difficult to achieve anything in sports. Therefore, studying only helps me achieve my results, — explained the biathlete.
The athlete's research supervisor, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of BNTU Oleg Gusev, emphasized the special connection between the master's student and the university: in his words, with every shot of Anton Smolsky, 30,000 hearts beat in unison — the hearts of students and staff of the university. The biathlete himself thanked his home university for such support:
— Oleg Konstantinovich, whether it is a not entirely successful race or a victorious race, there are always words of support, parting words that serve as a source of inspiration. I am very glad that BNTU loves biathlon, cheers for biathlon, and wins in the overall standings in all sports.
To the guys starting their path as an engineer and an athlete, the master's student wished the following:
— Whether it is engineering, sports, or another direction, there are always certain rules that must be followed. First, believe in yourself and your strengths, set goals that you will achieve. It does not have to be some global, unattainable goal. You need to start with small goals and gradually move towards what you want. And, of course, discipline. Discipline is a broad concept. It is not when you get up every day at 7 a.m. and go out without knowing why. Discipline is when you systematically and correctly move towards your small goals, which lead you to achieving results, — he recommended.
We congratulate Anton Smolsky on a bright end to the season, wish him new victories on the firing lines and the ski track, as well as success in his master's studies. Politech is proud of its heroes!
