Rustem Khamitov congratulated biathlete Anton Babikov with his victory at Biathlon World Cup

UFA, 5 December 2016. /Bashinform News Agency, Alexander Smirnov/. On December 4, the Head of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov in a telephone conversation congratulated the Russian biathlete, Ufa native Anton Babikov on a victory in the pursuit race at the first stage of the World Cup held in Sweden Ostersund. Rustem Khamitov asked him about the next dates of the competition and wished the sportsman new victories.

Recall that on December 4, in the 12.5 km pursuit at the first stage of the Biathlon World Cup Russians Anton Babikov and Maxim Tsvetkov won the first and second places well ahead of one of the favourites - Frenchman Martin Fourcade. The 25-year-old athlete had the first in his career victory at the World Cup as part of the Russian team and broke the record series of 25 races without awards of our team.

Previously, Anton Babikov was three-fold European champion and three times won bronze medals at the European championships. At the end of the season 2015/2016 he was recognized the best rookie of the year according to the International Biathlon Union (IBU).