Sanal Ochirov, a coach from Kalmykia and head of the regional Union of Youth and Veterans of Archery, served as senior coach for the Russian national team at the World Championship in 3D Archery held from September 28 to October 4, 2026, in Yankton, USA. The Russian team finished third overall among the world's top teams, earning two gold medals, one silver, and two bronze medals. The Russian national anthem was played twice on the podium.[1]
Kalmyk athletes Lyudmila Kurneeva and Natalya Garyaev were part of the squad. Kurneeva met the standard for Master of Sports of Russia of International Class. This marked the first full participation of the Russian team with flag and anthem in some time after restrictions were lifted by World Archery in August 2026. Two Kalmyk athletes, including Ochirov and Kurneeva, are also set to compete at the World Championship in traditional bow shooting in South Korea later in October.