Highlights of women’s #Zagreb2026

From 13 to 16 August, Zagreb hosted the 2026 edition of the Women’s European Championships in Artistic Gymnastics for the first time. These Europeans welcomed 39 participation national federations, represented by a grand total of 293 gymnasts (163 seniors and 130 juniors).

Here are our highlights following an amazing week of competition… in a no particular order!

Melnikova strikes again

Angelina Melnikova has undoubtedly left her mark on the 2026 European Championships. The Russian star leaves Zagreb with an impressive haul of five medals: four individual medals and one team medal.

She crowned her campaign with a remarkable All-Around victory, scoring 55.932 to claim the European title. A former European Junior Champion in 2014, Melnikova has now amassed an outstanding 17 European Championship medals — seven gold, four silver and six bronze.

With her consistency, experience and ability to deliver on the biggest stage, Melnikova once again proved herself to be a formidable competitor and one of the leading figures of European gymnastics.

Colas rises to the occasion

The French gymnast made a remarkable entrance onto the senior stage. At just 16 years old, Elena Colas was crowned European champion on Beam in Zagreb. Her elegance and technical precision also earned her a silver medal on Floor and a bronze in the highly coveted All-Around. Led by Colas, already a triple medallist, the French team also secured a team medal for the third consecutive edition, taking bronze.

Esposito keeps her European crown hopes alive

An Olympic bronze medallist in 2024, Manila Esposito claimed All-Around gold at the European Championships in Leipzig the previous year. This year, the Italian once again delivered, showing remarkable consistency on the European stage. She secured gold on Floor with a score of 13.700 and added silver on Beam, finishing just behind France’s Elena Colas. A third medal, team silver, rounded off an impressive week for Esposito and Italy.

Kevric back on top

European All-Around champion at the 2022 European Junior Championships, Helen Kevric shone on the uneven bars in Zagreb. With a score of 14.500, she claimed the gold medal ahead of the Italian gymnasts. After being sidelined by injury last year, Kevric proved that determination can lead to a successful return to the highest level. She thus secured her first European medal as a senior.

Charpy, a European medal-winning tradition

Captain of the French team, Lorette Charpy claimed her sixth senior European medal in Zagreb. The bronze medal, won with the team, once again showed the strength and promise of the mix of generations within the French squad.

Lorette Charpy has a remarkable record at the European Championships: every time she has competed, she has come away with at least one medal, either individually or as part of the team.

In Zagreb, Charpy was also honoured with the Shooting Star Award, which aims to put a gymnast with an exceptional story in the spotlight — someone who serves as an inspiration to future generations of gymnasts and the general public alike.

Polina Dmitrieva’s golden week

Young Russian gymnast Polina Dmitrieva certainly did not come to Zagreb just to make up the numbers. She came to make her mark — and she did so in style.

With three individual gold medals on uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise, a team title and an impressive silver medal in the All-Around, Polina has enjoyed a remarkable European Championships.

At just 14, Dmitrieva already boasts an outstanding record and looks set to become an important member of the Russian senior team in the years to come.

Four medals for Andrianova

Aleksandra Andrianova, granddaughter of the legendary Nikolay Andrianov and Lyubov Burda, made a strong impression in Zagreb, particularly on the first day of the Junior competition. She claimed All-Around gold with a strong performance (53.565) and also helped Russia secure team gold. A few days later, she added two more medals to her collection, taking silver on Floor and Uneven Bars.

Rinaldi: Quietly Effective

Clarissa Rinaldi also made her mark in Zagreb. She first claimed an impressive bronze medal in the Junior All-Around, finishing behind the two Russian gymnasts. The only athlete to qualify for all four apparatus finals, she went on to secure two more bronze medals, on Uneven Bars and Floor. Finally, the Italian team rounded off a strong competition by taking team silver. Four medals in total for Clarissa Rinaldi in Zagreb.

Thank you!

European Gymnastics would like to thank the Croatian Gymnastics Federation for organising this event, which has put the gymnasts in the spotlight. A big thank you also goes to all the gymnasts, coaches and judges, as well as all the volunteers.