Sergey Korastylev of Russia claimed the gold medal after the 27-year-old, who studies at the Krasnojarsk State Pedagogical University, shot clean to complete the course in a time of 32 min 08.3sec.

Finishing behind Korastylev were his compatriots Dmitrii Ivanov and Semen Suchilov.

Ivanov took second in 32:19.2 but incurred three penalties, two of which were at the prone shooting stage.

Suchilov then wrapped up a sensational day of his country as he crossed the line in 32:26.9 after being penalised on two occasions.

In the men’s 10km sprint event yesterday, Suchilov led a Russian one-two ahead of Ivanov.

Suchilov now has three medals to his name having also won bronze in the men’s 20km individual event on Tuesday (January 31).

There was also women's biathlon action today as Ukraine's Nadiia Bielkina prevailed in the women's 10km biathlon pursuit event.

Bielkina completed the course in 32:39.6 after incurring three penalties, all at the standing stage.

Olga Shesterikova of Russia finished way back in second on 33:00.7 while another Russian, Larisa Kuklina complete the podium with her time of 33:08.3.

Kazakhstan's Galina Vishnevskaya delighted the home crowd yesterday by winning the women’s 7.5km sprint event.

However, she endured a miserable day today after she incurred five penalties at the second prone shooting area after she shot standing up.

This led to her being dismissed from the race.