Five Armenian Gymnasts Reach Finals at the 2026 European Championships in Zagreb

The Armenian national team made a successful start at the 2026 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships being held in Zagreb. Following the senior qualification round, five Armenian gymnasts secured places in individual apparatus finals.

The biggest success of the qualification day came from Artur Davtyan. The 34-year-old leader of the Armenian team delivered a confident performance on vault and finished first in qualification, confirming his status as one of the leading contenders for gold at the European Championships. The vault final will take place on August 22.

Two more Armenian representatives qualified for the rings final. Artur Avetisyan completed qualification with the fourth-best result, while Vahagn Davtyan finished sixth.

The performance of 38-year-old Vahagn Davtyan deserves particular attention. He continues to demonstrate remarkable consistency at the highest European level and has once again earned the opportunity to compete for a continental championship medal.

Two Armenian gymnasts also finished among the top three in pommel horse qualification. Mamikon Khachatryan placed second, while Hamlet Manukyan finished third.

Italy's Gabriele Targhetta produced the best result on the apparatus, receiving an impressive score of 15.200 points. His pommel horse score was one of the standout marks of the qualification day. In the final, Khachatryan and Manukyan will try to challenge the Italian gymnast for the gold medal.

Gagik Khachikyan competed in qualification on pommel horse and vault, but this time he was unable to secure a place among the finalists.

As a result, Armenia will be represented by five athletes in the senior European Championship apparatus finals: Artur Davtyan, Artur Avetisyan, Vahagn Davtyan, Mamikon Khachatryan and Hamlet Manukyan.

Armenians Will Look to Defend Last Year's Success

The current results are particularly noteworthy in light of Armenia's successful performance at the previous European Championships.

In 2025, Hamlet Manukyan became European champion on pommel horse, while Mamikon Khachatryan won the silver medal on the same apparatus. The two Armenian gymnasts have therefore once again earned the opportunity to fight for places on the podium.

Artur Davtyan won gold on vault a year ago and has now begun his title defense in Zagreb by finishing first in qualification.

Artur Avetisyan won a bronze medal on rings at the previous European Championships and remains in contention for another medal in 2026.

Arman Ghukasyan to Compete on August 20

On Thursday, August 20, the junior qualification will take place at the European Championships, with medals in the team competition also set to be awarded.

Armenia will be represented in the junior competition by Arman Ghukasyan. The Armenian gymnast will compete in the first qualification group. Competition begins at 10:00 local time.

When the Finals Featuring Armenian Gymnasts Will Take Place

The first senior individual apparatus finals will be held on Friday, August 21. From 18:00 to 20:30, the decisive competitions in floor exercise, pommel horse and rings will take place.

That means Mamikon Khachatryan and Hamlet Manukyan will compete for medals on pommel horse, while Artur Avetisyan and Vahagn Davtyan will battle for medals on rings.

On Saturday, August 22, from 16:30 to 19:00, the second part of the senior apparatus finals will take place, featuring vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar. Armenia will be represented on vault by qualification winner Artur Davtyan.

All times listed are local Zagreb time.

Schedule of the Remaining European Championship Events

Thursday, August 20

• 10:00–12:50 — first junior qualification group, featuring Armenia;
• 14:00–16:50 — second junior qualification group;
• 17:30–20:30 — third junior qualification group.

Friday, August 21

• 17:15–17:45 — opening ceremony of the Men's European Championships;
• 18:00–20:30 — first part of the senior apparatus finals: floor exercise, pommel horse and rings.

Saturday, August 22

• 10:00–12:45 — junior individual apparatus finals;
• 16:30–19:00 — second part of the senior apparatus finals: vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar.

Sunday, August 23

• 10:00–12:00 — junior all-around final;
• 14:00–17:05 — senior team final.

Following a successful qualification campaign, the Armenian national team enters the decisive days of the European Championships with several genuine medal opportunities. Particular attention will be focused on pommel horse, where Armenian gymnasts took the top two places a year ago, as well as on Artur Davtyan, who once again recorded the best result in Europe during vault qualification.