Yervand Mkrtchyan Wins Two Gold Medals for Armenia at the European Challenger Championships

The 2026 European Athletics Championships for Small States took place in Monaco on May 30. The tournament, previously known as the Championships of the Small States of Europe, is now held under the name European Challenger Championships.

Athletes from 17 countries and territories took part in the competition: Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, San Marino, Armenia, Albania, Georgia, North Macedonia, France, Hong Kong, Moldova, Iceland, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Kosovo and Monaco.

The main hero of the Armenian team was runner Yervand Mkrtchyan, who won two gold medals. The Armenian athlete triumphed in both the 1500 meters and 5000 meters, becoming one of the standout performers of the tournament.

Thanks to Mkrtchyan’s two victories, Armenia finished the competition with two gold medals and took sixth place in the overall medal standings. Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro and San Marino finished ahead of the Armenian team.

Cyprus topped the overall medal table with 6 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze medals. Luxembourg finished second with 5 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals. Malta took third place with 3 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals.

Medal Standings

Cyprus — 6 gold, 6 silver, 2 bronze
Luxembourg — 5 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze
Malta — 3 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze
Montenegro — 3 gold, 1 bronze
San Marino — 2 gold, 1 silver
Armenia — 2 gold
Albania — 1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
Georgia — 1 gold, 2 silver

Results of Armenian Athletes

Samvel Gevorgyan — 8th place in Final 2 of the 100 meters

Vahe Avagyan — 4th place in Final 3 of the 400 meters

Yervand Mkrtchyan — 1st place in the 1500 meters

Yervand Mkrtchyan — 1st place in the 5000 meters

Aram Aramyan — 6th place in the 110 meters hurdles

Aram Aramyan — 7th place in the 400 meters hurdles

Vahe Arzumanyan — 4th place in the long jump

Gor Hovakimyan — 9th place in the long jump

Manuk Manukyan — 9th place in the shot put

Mariana Bagyan — 3rd place in Final 3 of the 100 meters, 15th place overall

Mariana Bagyan — 5th place in Final 2 of the 200 meters, 13th place overall

Nina Muradyan — 6th place in Final 2 of the 400 meters

Lilit Harutyunyan — 7th place in Final 2 of the 400 meters

Ellada Alaverdyan — 9th place in the 800 meters

Mari Sargsyan — 7th place in the 1500 meters

Mari Sargsyan — 11th place in the 5000 meters

Meline Adamyan — 5th place in the 110 meters hurdles

Kristine Harutyunyan — 6th place in the shot put

Kristine Harutyunyan — 6th place in the javelin throw

For the Armenian team, the main outcome of the tournament was Yervand Mkrtchyan’s two victories. He confirmed his status as one of the leaders of Armenian athletics in middle- and long-distance running.