Austrian Felix Leitner picked up his second gold medal of the IBU Junior World Championships ©IBU

Austrian Felix Leitner picked up his second gold medal of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) Junior World Championships as he added the 10 kilometres sprint crown to his individual title in Cheile Grădiştei in Romania today.

Leitner ensured his winning run at the event continued as he clocked 26min 27.1sec, finishing a comfortable 11.5 seconds ahead of nearest challenger Sean Doherty of the United States.

Doherty’s silver gave the American a record ninth individual medal.

Germany's David Zobel was someway adrift of Leitner’s time, crossing the line 39.3 seconds slower, but he was able to clinch bronze by securing the final spot on the podium.

The victory for Leitner came despite the Austrian incurring one penalty during his run, though he always looked like sealing the gold medal as he established an early lead and held on to claim another individual triumph.

“I think that I am the happiest person in the world right now,” Leitner said.

"I guess that early start number made a difference today.

“Our wax technician told me to choose the first group because the track conditions were harder with each starter.

“It was a great idea, so I took the first group.

“I knew that even with a miss I can battle for the medal because I am in a really good shape now."

Hanna Oeberg of Sweden secured a rare success for her nation by winning the women's race
Hanna Oeberg of Sweden secured a rare success for her nation by winning the women's race ©IBU

In the women’s sprint event, held over 7.5km, Hanna Oeberg of Sweden reigned supreme as she powered around the course in a time of 21:18.1 in what proved to be a thrilling race.

Switzerland’s Lena Haecki, who will rue the two penalties she amassed during her run, secured silver as she was just 0.6 seconds behind Oeberg, whose compatriot Anna Magnusson prolonged the Swedish success by taking home bronze.

The surprise result saw no representatives of Germany, Russia, Norway or France finish on the podium for the first time in the history of the women's sprint race at the Junior World Championships.

“Actually I was not really nervous on the shooting range today, but before the last shot I had to take an extra breath,” Oeberg said.

"I knew that at the beginning of the last loop I had some extra seconds and I really did not know that the final result was so tight.

“But I was so happy to win!"

The event in Cheile Grădiştei continues with the men’s and women’s junior and youth pursuit races tomorrow.