German Biathlon Star Welcomes Her Baby: 'Finally, You're Here!'

German Biathlete Janina Hettich-Walz Welcomes Her Baby

Janina Hettich-Walz, one of Germany’s top biathletes, has celebrated the arrival of her first child. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she welcomed her daughter with the message, "Finally, you're here! Welcome to the world, little Karlotta," and shared a close-up image of her newborn’s tiny fingers.

The post quickly drew congratulatory responses from fellow athletes, including World Championship medalist Franziska Preuß, who wished her a beautiful new chapter as a family of three.

Returning to the International Arena

Due to her pregnancy, Hettich-Walz missed the entire season. However, she has set her sights on a major comeback for the 2025/2026 season with the goal of rejoining the German team and competing at the Olympic Games in Milan 2026. Reflecting on the journeys of athletes who have successfully returned to the world stage after having children, she expressed optimism about reclaiming her place among the top competitors. The 28-year-old celebrated her recent successes, including a World Championship silver medal in the individual race and a relay silver from 2021, which fuel her ambitions for the upcoming season.