At the first stage of the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Cottbus (Germany), Armenian gymnasts Mamikon Khachatryan and Hamlet Manukyan competed in the final of a senior-level tournament for the first time in their careers.
18-year-old Mamikon Khachatryan finished 4th in the pommel horse event with a score of 13.800, while 17-year-old Hamlet Manukyan placed 8th with 12.166 points. Despite making some mistakes in the decisive performance, both athletes represented Armenia with honor.
It is worth noting that the Armenian gymnasts performed excellently in the qualification round, advancing to the final in first place, each scoring 14.466 points. However, in the final, pressure and nerves affected their performances, leading to some errors.
The competition was won by Taiwanese gymnast Yu-Yan Xiao, who scored 14.433 points. The silver medal was claimed by Ahmad Abu Al-Soud from Jordan (14.233), while the bronze went to Italian gymnast Edoardo De Rosa (13.966).
Although the Armenian athletes did not make it to the podium, their result showcases their high potential and marks an important step toward future achievements. Considering their young age, it is safe to say that their best performances are yet to come.