Alexander Bolshunov

Alexander Alexandrovich Bolshunov (Russian: Александр Александрович Большунов, also tr. Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Bolshunov; born 31 December 1996) is a Russian cross-country skier and two-time winner of the 14th and 15th Tour de Ski.[1]

In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming conventions, the patronymic is Aleksandrovich and the family name is Bolshunov.
Alexander Bolshunov
Bolshunov in 2019
Country Russia
Full nameAlexander Alexandrovich Bolshunov
Born (1996-12-31) 31 December 1996
Podyvotye, Sevsky District, Bryansk Oblast, Russia
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Ski clubSC Vodnik
World Cup career
Seasons6 – (2017–2022)
Individual wins28
Team wins1
Indiv. podiums59
Team podiums4
Indiv. starts110
Team starts6
Overall titles2 – (2020, 2021)
Discipline titles3 – (DI in 2019, 2020, 2021)
Medal record
Men's cross-country skiing
International nordic ski competitions
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Olympic Games 3 4 2
World Championships 1 6 1
Total 4 10 3
Representing  ROC
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place2022 Beijing30 km skiathlon
Gold medal – first place2022 Beijing50 km freestyle
Gold medal – first place2022 Beijing4 × 10 km relay
Silver medal – second place2022 Beijing15 km classical
Bronze medal – third place2022 BeijingTeam sprint
Representing
 Olympic Athletes from Russia
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place2018 Pyeongchang4 × 10 km relay
Silver medal – second place2018 PyeongchangTeam sprint
Silver medal – second place2018 Pyeongchang50 km classical
Bronze medal – third place2018 PyeongchangIndividual sprint
Representing  Russian Ski Federation
World Championships
Gold medal – first place2021 Oberstdorf30 km skiathlon
Silver medal – second place2021 Oberstdorf50 km classical
Silver medal – second place2021 Oberstdorf4 × 10 km relay
Bronze medal – third place2021 OberstdorfTeam sprint
Representing  Russia
World Championships
Silver medal – second place2019 Seefeld30 km skiathlon
Silver medal – second place2019 Seefeld50 km freestyle
Silver medal – second place2019 SeefeldTeam sprint
Silver medal – second place2019 Seefeld4 × 10 km relay
U23 World Championships
Gold medal – first place2017 Park City15 km freestyle
Gold medal – first place2017 Park City30 km skiathlon
Silver medal – second place2017 Park CityIndividual sprint
Junior World Championships
Silver medal – second place2016 Râșnov4 × 5 km relay
Updated on 8 April 2022.

Bolshunov is a nine-time Olympic medalist, three of which are gold, and is also the first male post-Soviet Russian World Cup champion, winning the overall World Cup in 2020 and 2021.

Career

2013–17: Twofold U23 World Champion

Bolshunov was born in Podyvotye in the Bryansk Oblast, located just several kilometres from the Russia-Ukraine border. It was there where he started his sports career with his coach and father Alexander Ivanovich Bolshunov.[2] In 2011, his father brought him to the Bryansk sports school for ski-cross skiing, where he was coached by Merited Coach of Russia N. I. Nekhitrov.[3] The first victories on nationals came a year ago, when on 6 February 2013 Bolshunov took the first place in 10 km classic in a tournament taking place in the Tver Oblast.[4]

On 17 March 2014, Bolshunov won the 20 km skiathlon event at the Russian Junior Nationals,[5] resulting Bolshunov being bestowed the honorary Master of Sports of Russia.[6] After the nationals he was invited to the junior team. A year later, he participated in the sprint event of the FIS Junior World Ski Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, but failed to qualify for the sprint final, leaving him without medals.[7] In the following Youth Championships in Rasnov, Romania, his best result was 2nd, in the relay event.[8]

In 2017, Bolshunov took part in the FIS U23 World Ski Championships in the venue Soldier Hollow, Utah, United States, where the 2002 Winter Olympics were held. He won silver in sprint,[9] and a few days later he won the 15 km individual freestyle event.[10] The skiathlon event was marked by a memorable performance by teammates Bolshunov, Alexey Chervotkin and Denis Spitsov, who entered the finish line hand in hand. Bolshunov was declared the winner after video review.[11] As a result, Bolshunov was conferred the highest honorary sports title of Russia, "International Master of Sports".[12]

2017–18: FIS World Cup debut

Bolshunov's first major senior tournament in which he competed was the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2017 in Lahti, Finland, finishing 26th in sprint and 15th in skiathlon. In the 2016–17 season, he entered his first FIS World Cup stage in Drammen, Norway, in March 2017, finishing 9th. He won his first podium in the next season in the third Stage World Cup in Ruka, Finland, on 26 November, in 15 km freestyle pursuit.[13] In the overall standings of the three Ruka stages, the "Ruka Triple", he was placed third.[14] He showed strong results by the year's end, finishing four times in the third places.

After the 2017–18 Tour de Ski – in the 15 km pursuit stage, he reached the third-place – Bolshunov missed a handful of WC stages to prepare for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. At the Olympics, he rebounded by winning three silver medals and one bronze medal. He won his first Olympic medal in sprint classical, losing only to Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Federico Pellegrino. Bolshunov then won medals in team sprint freestyle, 4 × 10 km relay and 50 km classical.

2018–19: Distance Cup winner

In March, Bolshunov reached second place in a WC stage for the first time in his career in the 15 km classical event in Lahti. He also finished third in a WC stage in Drammen, now in sprint classical. Bolshunov won the World Cup Final by the season's end after winning the 15 km classical mass start and 15 km freestyle pursuit stages.[15] In the overall World Cup standings he was placed 5th.[16]

In the 2018–19 FIS Cross-Country World Cup season, Bolshunov won the first two WC stages in Ruka, in sprint classical and 15 km classical, receiving the yellow bib as a result. Bolshunov led in the overall standings after fifteen stages until being replaced by Johannes Høsflot Klæbo during the Tour de Ski.

Before the World Championships, Bolshunov clinched another stage win in Italian Cogne in 15 km classical. Bolshunov debuted at the World and won four silver medals in 30 km skiathlon, 50 km freestyle mass start, as well as in team sprint and 4 × 10 km relay. On 9 March, he won another stage in 50 km classical mass start in Holmenkollen, returning the yellow bib after Klæbo's poor performance there. As a result, Bolshunov, at age 22, became not only the youngest winner of the marathon stage but also the youngest winner of the Distance Cup, claiming the Small Crystal Globe.[17]

2019–20: Tour de Ski champion, World Cup overall winner

Bolshunov started the 2019–20 FIS Cross-Country World Cup by participating in the mini-event 2019 Nordic Opening, where he was positioned fifth in the overall ranking. He won the next stage in Lillehammer for the first time in the 30 km skiathlon classic and freestyle event. Bolshunov entered the 2019–20 Tour de Ski by reaching third place in 15 km mass start freestyle. He reached five out of six podium places in the following stages, only failing in the first sprint stage in Lenzerheide, stopping in the semi-finals. Although he won only one stage and five times finished third, he took the first position in the overall ranking, becoming the third Russian to do so. After this victory, he received the right to wear the yellow bib previously worn by Klæbo.[18] He went on winning three back-to-back long-distance stages, doing so in Nové Město and Oberstdorf.

Before the FIS Ski Tour 2020, Bolshunov finished third in the sprint and first in the 15 km mass start stage, both in Falun. In the inaugural Ski Tour, Bolshunov led in the overall standings after the 5th stage, but in the 6th stage, following an ill-conceived preparation of the skies by the team staff, who hoped the snowfall would stop soon and so decided not to use the no wax anti-ice method, Bolshunov finished 7th.[19][20] In the same month, in February, Bolshunov took the second position in 15 km classic in Lahti. He finished the season by winning the 50 km classic mass start event in Oslo and went on to win the overall World Cup ahead of schedule after the remaining stages did not take place due to the coronavirus outbreak. He became the first post-Soviet Russian male ski-cross skier to win the World Cup and the first Russian since Soviet Vladimir Smirnov, who won the 1991 edition.[21] Beside that, Bolshunov won his second consecutive Distance Cup title. Due to the pandemic, the ceremony was postponed indefinitely, and the Crystal Globe was presented to the Russian only three months later.[22]

2020–21: Back-to-back Tour de Ski, World Cup overall champion, World Champion

Bolshunov started the new season finishing overall second in the Ruka Triple after only Klæbo. Before the 2021 Tour de Ski, he claimed a distance title in Swiss Davos and his first team title in team sprint with Retivykh, in a sprint tournament traditionally taking place in Dresden, Germany, this time without Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish skiers, after their federations decided to quit sending skiers due to concerns over COVID-19.[23] As a result of the withdrawal, Bolshunov was awarded the yellow bib. The Tour de Ski saw a return of Swedish and Finnish, but not Norwegian skiers.

After the first sprint stage, where Bolshunov finished second, the Russian won five consecutive stages, repeating the World Cup tour record of Ustiugov and Dæhlie,[24] but failed to update the record as he came third in the following sprint stage in Val di Fiemme. In the 10 km Final Climb Mass Start stage, he finished 2nd. But this secured him winning the Tour de Ski for a second time, finishing by a record margin of three minutes twenty-three seconds ahead of other skiers.[25] During the final stage of the ski race in Lahti Bolshunov attempted twice to slash Finnish skier Joni Mäki, and towards the finish rammed Mäki and knocked him down, resulting Bolshunov being disqualified.[26] Bolshunov officially apologized for his behaviour after the competition.[27]

Bolshunov participated at the 2021 World Championships, where he won four medals. In the 30 km skiathlon, he got his first gold medal at this event. At the 50 km classical event, Bolshunov initially finished third, but following Klæbo's disqualification, which happened after the Norwegian broke one of Bolshunov's poles, the Russian earned the silver medal at the end. Bolshunov won further medals in team sprint and 4 × 10 kilometre relay. However, he finished fourth in sprint and 15 km freestyle.

Personal life

Since 2017, Bolshunov is studying at the Penza State University's Faculty of Institute of Physical Education.[28][29]

Bolshunov is married to fellow Russian cross-country skier Anna Zherebyateva, since 23 April 2021.[30]

On 10 February 2022, Bolshunov, who was previously senior lieutenant, received the rank of captain by the National Guard of Russia in recognition of his achievements at the 2022 Olympics[31]

On 18 March 2022, Bolshunov participated in the Moscow rally in support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[32]

Regarding the 2023 World Championship that Russian athletes were missing due to the invasion of Ukraine, Bolshunov said: "I'm not interested in what's going on at these dirty competitions. We can organize both the World Championships and the Olympic Games better than anyone."[33] He further commented that "There is only one championship, and we have it [the Russian national championship] All other questions - goodbye! I'm not interested in what is happening now at the World Cup and the World Championship. I want to tell you that the whole world is here." He also expressed confidence that Russian athletes will be allowed to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics: "We will compete at the 2026 Olympics. Everything has its time. Mark my words."[34]

Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).[35]

Olympic Games
  • 9 medals – (3 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze)
 Year   Age   15 km 
 individual 		  30 km 
 skiathlon 		  50 km 
 mass start 		  Sprint   4 × 10 km 
 relay 		  Team 
 sprint 
201821——SilverBronzeSilverSilver
202225SilverGoldGold[a]DNSGoldBronze

a Distance reduced to 30 km due to weather conditions.

World Championships
  • 8 medals – (1 gold, 6 silver, 1 bronze)
 Year   Age   15 km 
 individual 		  30 km 
 skiathlon 		  50 km 
 mass start 		  Sprint   4 × 10 km 
 relay 		  Team 
 sprint 
201720—15—26——
2019228SilverSilver11SilverSilver
2021244GoldSilver4SilverBronze

Season titles
  • 5 titles – (2 Overall, 3 Distance)
Season
Discipline
2019Distance
2020Overall
Distance
2021Overall
Distance

Season standings
 Season   Age  Discipline standings Ski Tour standings
Overall Distance Sprint U23 Nordic
Opening		 Tour de
Ski		 Ski Tour
2020		 World Cup
Final
201720100–498––——
2018215962nd place, silver medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)6—1st place, gold medalist(s)
2019222nd place, silver medalist(s)1st place, gold medalist(s)52nd place, silver medalist(s)55—3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
2020231st place, gold medalist(s)1st place, gold medalist(s)6—51st place, gold medalist(s)7—
2021241st place, gold medalist(s)1st place, gold medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)—2nd place, silver medalist(s)1st place, gold medalist(s)——
2022[note 1]252nd place, silver medalist(s)2nd place, silver medalist(s)15——2nd place, silver medalist(s)——

Individual podiums
  • 28 victories – (20 WC, 8 SWC)
  • 59 podiums – (34 WC, 25 SWC)
No. Season Date Location Race Level Place
12017–1824–26 November 2017Finland Nordic OpeningOverall StandingsWorld Cup3rd
22 December 2017Norway Lillehammer, Norway1.5 km Sprint CWorld Cup3rd
39 December 2017Switzerland Davos, Switzerland1.5 km Sprint FWorld Cup3rd
410 December 201715 km Individual FWorld Cup3rd
51 January 2018Switzerland Lenzerheide, Switzerland15 km Pursuit FStage World Cup3rd
64 March 2018Finland Lahti, Finland15 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
77 March 2018Norway Drammen, Norway1.2 km Sprint CWorld Cup3rd
817 March 2018Sweden Falun, Sweden15 km Mass Start CStage World Cup1st
916–18 March 2018Sweden World Cup FinalOverall StandingsWorld Cup1st
102018–1924 November 2018Finland Rukatunturi, Finland1.5 km Sprint CWorld Cup1st
1125 November 201815 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
1230 December 2018Italy Toblach, Italy15 km Individual FStage World Cup3rd
133 January 2019Germany Oberstdorf, Germany15 km Pursuit FStage World Cup3rd
145 January 2019Italy Val di Fiemme, Italy15 km Mass Start CStage World Cup3rd
1519 January 2019Estonia Otepää, Estonia1.6 km Sprint CWorld Cup2nd
1620 January 201915 km Individual CWorld Cup2nd
1717 February 2019Italy Cogne, Italy15 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
189 March 2019Norway Oslo, Norway50 km Mass Start CWorld Cup1st
1917 March 2019Sweden Falun, Sweden15 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
2024 March 2019Canada Quebec City, Canada15 km Pursuit FStage World Cup2nd
2122–24 March 2019Canada World Cup FinalOverall StandingsWorld Cup3rd
222019–207 December 2019Norway Lillehammer, Norway15 km + 15 km Skiathlon C/FWorld Cup1st
2328 December 2019Switzerland Lenzerheide, Switzerland15 km Mass Start FStage World Cup3rd
2431 December 2019Italy Toblach, Italy15 km Individual FStage World Cup3rd
251 January 202015 km Pursuit CStage World Cup1st
263 January 2020Italy Val di Fiemme, Italy15 km Mass Start CStage World Cup3rd
274 January 20201.5 km Sprint CStage World Cup3rd
285 January 202010 km Mass Start FStage World Cup3rd
2928 December 2019
– 5 January 2020		 Switzerland Italy Tour de SkiOverall StandingsWorld Cup1st
3018 January 2020Czech Republic Nové Město, Czech Republic15 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
3119 January 202015 km Pursuit CWorld Cup1st
3225 January 2020Germany Oberstdorf, Germany15 km + 15 km Skiathlon C/FWorld Cup1st
338 February 2020Sweden Falun, Sweden1.4 km Sprint CWorld Cup3rd
349 February 202015 km Mass Start FWorld Cup1st
3516 February 2020Sweden Östersund, Sweden15 km Pursuit CStage World Cup2nd
3620 February 2020Norway Meråker, Norway34 km Mass Start FStage World Cup1st
3729 February 2020Finland Lahti, Finland15 km Individual CWorld Cup2nd
388 March 2020Norway Oslo, Norway50 km Mass Start CWorld Cup1st
392020–2128 November 2020Finland Rukatunturi, Finland15 km Individual CStage World Cup3rd
4027–29 November 2020Finland Nordic OpeningOverall StandingsWorld Cup2nd
4112 December 2020Switzerland Davos, Switzerland1.5 km Sprint FWorld Cup2nd
4213 December 202015 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
431 January 2021Switzerland Val Müstair, Switzerland1.4 km Sprint FStage World Cup2nd
442 January 202115 km Mass Start CStage World Cup1st
453 January 202115 km Pursuit FStage World Cup1st
465 January 2021Italy Toblach, Italy15 km Individual FStage World Cup1st
476 January 202115 km Pursuit CStage World Cup1st
488 January 2021Italy Val di Fiemme, Italy15 km Mass Start CStage World Cup1st
499 January 20211.5 km Sprint CStage World Cup3rd
5010 January 202010 km Mass Start FStage World Cup2nd
511–10 January 2021 Switzerland Italy Tour de SkiOverall StandingsWorld Cup1st
5229 January 2021Sweden Falun, Sweden15 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
5330 January 202115 km Mass Start CWorld Cup1st
5413 March 2021Switzerland Engadin, Switzerland15 km Mass Start CWorld Cup1st
552021–2227 November 2021Finland Rukatunturi, Finland15 km Individual CWorld Cup3rd
5628 November 202115 km Pursuit FWorld Cup1st
5729 December 2021Switzerland Lenzerheide, Switzerland15 km Individual CStage World Cup2nd
5831 December 2021Germany Oberstdorf, Germany15 km Mass Start FStage World Cup2nd
5928 December 2021
– 4 January 2022		SwitzerlandGermanyItaly Tour de SkiOverall StandingsWorld Cup2nd

Team podiums
  • 1 victory – (1 TS)
  • 4 podiums – (3 RL, 2 TS)
No. Season Date Location Race Level Place Teammates
12018–199 December 2018Norway Beitostølen, Norway4 × 7.5 km Relay C/FWorld Cup2ndBelov / Spitsov / Melnichenko
227 January 2019Sweden Ulricehamn, Sweden4 × 7.5 km Relay C/FWorld Cup2ndLarkov / Melnichenko / Ustiugov
32020–2120 December 2020Germany Dresden, Germany12 × 0.65 km Team Sprint FWorld Cup1stRetivykh
42021–2219 December 2021Germany Dresden, Germany12 × 0.65 km Team Sprint FWorld Cup3rdRetivykh

Notes
  1. On 1 March 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, FIS decided not to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in FIS competitions, with an immediate effect.[36]

References
  1. Bolshunov, Alexander at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation
  2. "Биография российского лыжника Александра Большунова" [Biography of Russian skier Alexander Bolshunov] (in Russian). TASS. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  3. "Тренер: на лыжи бронзового призера Олимпийских игр Большунова поставил его отец" [Coach: Olympic Bronze Medalist Bolshunov Was Put on Skis by His Father] (in Russian). TASS. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  4. "Результаты – д. Гришкино (Тверская область) – ЭСПУ – 10 км КЛ" [Results – village Grishkino (Tver Oblast) – 10 km C] (in Russian). Cross Country Ski Federation of Russia. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  5. "Первенство России по лыжным гонкам среди юниоров и юниорок 1994/1995 г.р. – Официальный итоговый протокол – Скиатлон, юниоры, 10 км КЛ + 10 км СВ" [Russian Junior Championships for Sportspeople Born in 1994–95] (PDF) (in Russian). Cross Country Ski Federation of Russia. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  6. "Приказ "О присвоении спортивного звания "Мастер спорта России"" [Order "On Awarding the Sports Honorary Title "Master of Sports of Russia"] (in Russian). Ministry of Sport of Russia. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  7. "2015 FIS Junior World Ski Championships – Men's SP C Final Official results". FIS. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  8. "2016 FIS Junior World Ski Championships – Men's Rel 4x5 km F Official results". FIS. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  9. "2017 FIS U23 World Ski Championships – Men's SP C Final Official results". FIS. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  10. "2017 FIS U23 World Ski Championships – Men's 15 km F Official results". FIS. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  11. "2017 FIS U23 World Ski Championships – Men's Skiathlon 15km/15km C/F Official results". FIS. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  12. "Приказ "О присвоении спортивного звания "Мастер спорта России международного класса"" [Order "On Awarding the Honorary Sports Title "Russian International Master of Sports"] (in Russian). Ministry of Sport of Russia. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  13. "Stage World Cup Ruka (FIN)". fis-ski.com.
  14. "Ruka Triple – Stage 3 of 3" (PDF).
  15. "WORLD CUP FINAL MEN" (PDF).
  16. "Cup standings". fis-ski.com.
  17. "Большунов – самый молодой победитель дистанционного зачёта Кубка мира в истории". championat.com.
  18. "Alexander Bolshunov wins the Tour de Ski". fis-ski.com.
  19. Сакун, Никита. ""Ски Тур": Норвегия выбрала лыжи для сильного снегопада, Россия – для более хорошей погоды". championat.com.
  20. "Golberg stunned about Ski Tour 2020 victory". fis-ski.com.
  21. "Alexander Bolshunov becomes first Russian skier to win World Cup". russkiymir.ru.
  22. "FIS sends 'Big Crystal Globe' to Bolshunov | tellerreport.com". tellerreport.com.
  23. "Sweden and Finland Follow Norway and Withdraw from December World Cups (Updated) – FasterSkier.com". fasterskier.com.
  24. "Bolshunov claimed a fifth consecutive Tour de Ski win that equaled a record in Italy | Instant News". 9 January 2021.
  25. "sasha-is-a-world-leader-by-a-wide-margin"--bolshunov-is-tipped-for-the-"crystal-globe"-after-the-second-triumph-at-the-"tour-de-ski"%0A--.BygOZgDYCw.html "Sasha is a world leader by a wide margin": Bolshunov is tipped for the "Crystal Globe" after the second triumph at the "Tour de Ski"
  26. "Финишем Александра Большунова заинтересовалась полиция" – via Kommersant.
  27. Alexander Bolshunov apologizes for unsportmanslike behavior
  28. Биография Александра Большунова на сайте Пензенского государственного университета
  29. Лыжники готовятся к Кубку мира-2020/21
  30. Свадьба самой красивой пары лыжников: Большунов и Жеребятьева зажгли в Барвихе
  31. Глава Росгвардии присвоил Большунову и Спицову новые воинские звания за медали ОИ-2022]
  32. "Большунов, Рылов, сестры Аверины, Тарасова и Морозов, Синицина и Кацалапов участвуют в митинге "Za мир без нацизма! Zа Россию! Zа Президентa!" в Лужниках". sports.ru (in Russian). 18 March 2022.
  33. Большунов о ЧМ: «Мне неинтересно, как проходят эти грязные соревнования. Мы можем Олимпийские игры и чемпионаты мира проводить намного круче остальных стран»
  34. Александр Большунов: «Мы будем выступать на Олимпийских играх-2026. Запомните эту фразу»
  35. "Alexander Bolshunov". FIS-Ski. International Ski Federation. Archived from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  36. "Russian and Belarusian Athletes not to take part in FIS Competitions". FIS. 1 March 2022.
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