Elena Colas, 16, wins European beam gold in Zagreb, two days after all-around bronze

Beam title for 16-year-old Colas

Elena Colas became European champion on the beam on Saturday 15 August at the championships in Zagreb, scoring 13.933 points in her first senior-season appearance at the continental level. The 16-year-old Frenchwoman, who competes for the club Avoine-Beaumont, had qualified seventh and last for the final on Thursday evening but overtook every rival when it mattered. Italy's Manila Esposito took silver with 13.833 points, two years after her own beam gold. Russia's Angelina Melnikova, the all-around champion, completed the podium at 13.700.

Elena Colas (FRA)13.933

Manila Esposito (ITA)13.833

Angelina Melnikova (RUS)13.7

Elena Colas (FRA)

13.933 pts

Manila Esposito (ITA)

13.833 pts

Angelina Melnikova (RUS)

13.7 pts

Data from the article text

All-around bronze two days earlier

On Thursday 13 August, Colas had already climbed the podium with a bronze in the individual all-around final, scoring 53.966 points. Melnikova won that title with 55.935, ahead of her compatriot Anna Kalmykova on 54.632. Colas was the first French gymnast to win a continental title since Coline Devillard took vault gold at Rimini in 2024. Before Zagreb, Colas had also won three gold medals, including one on beam, at the World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, and was crowned French champion in June.

Other French and Belgian results

The second French qualifier for the beam final, Morgane Osyssek-Reimer, finished eighth and last. Colas could still earn a second medal on Saturday in the floor final, the fourth and last apparatus final of the day. She is also scheduled to compete with the French team in Sunday's team final, which closes the women's competition.

Belgium's Lisa Vaelen, 22, took vault bronze on Saturday, behind Melnikova in gold and Germany's Karina Schoenmaier in silver. Vaelen had placed 14th in the all-around with 51.432 points, while her teammate Jade Vansteenkiste finished 43rd on 47.966. Belgium qualified eighth for the team final on Sunday, securing both a place in that final and qualification for the World Championships in Rotterdam in October.

What remains on the schedule

Colas's floor final and the women's team final on Sunday are the remaining events for the French and Belgian delegations. The 16-year-old's rapid rise through her first senior season, from French champion in June to European beam champion in August, gives France its first continental gold in the sport since Devillard's vault title two years ago.