Niklas Ekström achieved a bronze medal in the sprint category of the World Orienteering Championships held in Rusutsu, Japan. The event saw Norway's Jorgen Baklid taking the gold, followed closely by his compatriot Styrk Kamsvaag, who secured the silver. Ekström finished the race 20 seconds behind the winner, demonstrating a notable performance despite the challenging conditions that differed significantly from those in Finland.

Ekström shared that he experienced significant pre-race nerves, which were so intense that he felt his skis trembling during the warm-up. The course presented a unique challenge with a long interval that required careful route selection, which he managed to navigate successfully. He expressed confidence in his chosen path, which allowed him to establish a good rhythm during the sprint, showcasing his skills under pressure.

In addition to Ekström's achievement, Aapo Viippola placed sixth, and Amanda Yli-Futka was the best Finnish female competitor, finishing seventh in the women's sprint. The gold medal in the women's event was won by Norway's Anna Ulvensøen, reinforcing the country's strong performance in both categories of the competition.