Eleftherios Petrounias wins European bronze on rings in Zagreb with 14.366 score

Podium finish in Zagreb

Greek gymnast Eleftherios Petrounias secured the bronze medal in the still rings apparatus on Friday evening, 21 August 2026, at the European Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. The 35-year-old athlete was competing for a potential ninth European gold title on the apparatus. The final was decided by narrow margins, as Petrounias received a score of 14.366 points from the judging panel, finishing 0.034 points behind the top two competitors. Artur Avetisyan of Armenia won the event with a score of 14.400 points, while Ilya Zaika of Russia matched that mark with 14.400 points to take the silver medal. Courtney Tulloch of Great Britain also earned 14.366 points, finishing fourth behind Petrounias on tiebreak criteria.

Full results of the rings final

The remainder of the eight-man final in Zagreb featured close scoring across the middle of the field. Vahagn Davtyan of Armenia and Nikita Simonov of Azerbaijan both scored 14.000 points, earning fifth and sixth position respectively. Artur Sahakyan of Germany finished in seventh place with a routine awarded 13.900 points, followed by Harry Hepworth of Great Britain in eighth place with 12.866 points. Broadcast cameras captured Petrounias with a subdued smile when his score was announced in the arena, before he stepped onto the third step of the podium during the medal ceremony minutes later.

Career medal tally and world championship preparations

The bronze medal in Zagreb expanded Petrounias's tally to 11 career European Championship medals in the rings discipline, consisting of eight gold medals and three bronze medals. Across all senior international competitions, his career total reached 21 medals, including an Olympic gold medal. Following the podium presentation, Petrounias published a family photograph on social media alongside his wife, fellow gymnast Vasiliki Millousi, and their two daughters. He confirmed plans to take a short period of rest before resuming training for the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which will take place in Rotterdam between 17 October and 25 October 2026.

Happy for the 11th European medal, but the gold was lost on details. A few days of rest and we return, because in two months we have the World Championship. The road is ahead and we will go high.

Official reactions from Greek leadership

Greek government and parliamentary officials issued public congratulations following the medal ceremony in Zagreb. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis published a message praising Petrounias for securing another podium finish for Greece. Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias also commended the gymnast, acknowledging his standing as an Olympic medalist and active reserve cavalry second lieutenant. In a separate message, President of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis extended formal congratulations to both Petrounias and his coach for their continued achievements in international competition.

Eleftherios Petrounias, the undisputed lord of the rings, proved once again that he is one of the top athletes of all time. With his new success today, he reached 11 medals in his career in the rings event, of which 8 are gold.