Angelina Melnikova secured gold at the 2026 European Championships in Zagreb after Croatian authorities reversed a visa denial for four Russian athletes.
Key facts
- •Angelina Melnikova won the individual all-around title with a score of 55.932.
- •The 2026 European Championships in artistic gymnastics are being held in Zagreb from August 13 to 16.
- •Russian gymnasts are competing under neutral status for the first time in five years.
- •Croatian authorities granted visas to four Russian gymnasts after initially denying nine applicants.
- •The men’s tournament is scheduled to follow the women’s event from August 19 to 23.
Russian gymnast Angelina Melnikova won the individual all-around title at the 2026 European Championships in artistic gymnastics held in Zagreb, Croatia. Melnikova scored 55.932 points to secure the first individual all-around title of her career. This event marks the first time in five years that Russian gymnasts have competed at the European Championships, participating under neutral status.
By the numbers
Tournament Results and Visa Reversals
Russian gymnast Anna Kalmykova finished in second place with 54.632 points, while French gymnast Elena Colas took third with 53.966 points. Competitors performed across four apparatuses: the uneven bars, balance beam, vault, and floor exercise. Croatian authorities had initially denied visas to nine Russian athletes. A few days before the tournament began, the government reversed its decision and granted visas to four Russian gymnasts: Angelina Melnikova, Anna Kalmykova, Leila Vasilyeva, and Alexey Usachev.
Melnikova's Career Achievements
The victory brings Melnikova’s total to five European championship gold medals. Her previous titles include team event golds in 2016 and 2018, a floor exercise gold in 2017, and an uneven bars gold in 2021. Beyond the European stage, Melnikova is an Olympic team gold medalist from 2020 and a three-time world champion.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Meduza (English).
