Johannes Ludwig let all his rivals know back in November that he would be the one to beat at the Beijing Olympics.

(AP Photo/Andreas Schaad)KONIGSSEE – Russia’s Roman Repilov won his second consecutive men’s luge world championship Saturday, overtaking World Cup champion Felix Loch in the second heat to successfully defend the title. But after hoisting his gold medal, Repilov removed his hat in preparation for the winner’s flag to be displayed and anthem to blare. Russian athletes can participate in the luge world championships, but only as neutral competitors and not officially representing their country because of the sanctions levied against that nation for a doping scandal. Russian athletes who medal at the Tokyo Olympics this summer or the Beijing Games in February 2022 will experience similar scenes; no Russian flag, no Russian anthem. Margit Schumann of East Germany won four consecutive women’s world luge titles from 1973 through 1977.

Nico Gleirscher of Austria celebrates on the podium after the men's sprint race at the Luge World Championships in Koenigssee,Germany, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Andreas Schaad)KONIGSSEE – Germany won five of the nine available medals on the first day of luge’s world championships Friday, including a podium sweep in the women’s sprint race. Julia Taubitz was first, Anna Berreiter second and Dajana Eitberger third for the Germans in the women’s sprint. The men’s sprint world title went to Austria’s Nico Gleirscher. AdTucker West was 12th in the men’s sprint for the U.S.