Artur Avetisyan wins Cottbus World Cup opener, Khachatryan takes silver

Armenian gymnast Artur Avetisyan won gold at the first stage of the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Cottbus, Germany, claiming victory in the rings final. He scored 14.366 points to confidently secure first place.

Nikita Simonov of Azerbaijan took silver with 14.000, while Cameron Nelson of the United States earned bronze with 13.866.

Mamikon Khachatryan added another medal for Armenia by winning silver on the pommel horse. He scored 14.966 in the final, finishing just behind Italy’s Gabriele Targhetta (15.000). Nariman Kurbanov of Kazakhstan placed third with 14.933.

Reigning 2025 World Cup holders Artur Davtyan and Hamlet Manukyan finished without medals this time. Davtyan placed sixth on rings (13.766), while Manukyan was seventh on pommel horse (14.166). This once again highlights the depth and high level of the Armenian national team, which continues to reach the podium thanks to its strong lineup.

Davtyan did not compete in the vault due to a back injury.

Results. Rings:

Artur Avetisyan (Armenia) — 14.366
Nikita Simonov (Azerbaijan) — 14.000
Cameron Nelson (USA) — 13.866
Shumpei Fujimaki (Japan) — 13.800
Artur Davtyan (Armenia) — 13.766
Daniel Villafañe (Argentina) — 13.733
Luka Bojanc (Slovenia) — 13.366
Jack Stanley (Great Britain) — 12.966

Results. Pommel Horse:

Gabriele Targhetta (Italy) — 15.000
Mamikon Khachatryan (Armenia) — 14.966
Nariman Kurbanov (Kazakhstan) — 14.933
Zeinolla Idrissov (Kazakhstan) — 14.833
Aidan Li (Canada) — 14.566
Brandon Dang (USA) — 14.433
Hamlet Manukyan (Armenia) — 14.166
Eyal Indig (Israel) — 12.966

The second stage of the 2026 World Cup will be held on March 5–8 in Baku (Azerbaijan), followed by the third stage on March 12–15 in Antalya (Turkey).