Armenian gymnast Hamlet Manukyan has etched his name into the history of world gymnastics at just 18 years old. At the World Challenge Cup in Paris, France, which runs from September 11–16, Manukyan performed a brand-new element on the pommel horse that has now been officially recognized and named the “Manukyan,” reports Armenia’s Gymnastics Federation.
Competing as Armenia’s sole representative at the tournament, Manukyan overcame the qualification round and advanced to the pommel horse final with a score of 14.133. He will compete in the final on September 14, continuing his breakthrough run at the senior level. Manukyan is also the reigning European Champion and the 2023 Junior World Champion on pommel horse and rings.
In a video released from the event, Manukyan performs the “Manukyan” with precision and elegance, underlining why he is considered one of the world’s most promising young gymnasts. The performance solidifies his place among gymnastics legends and underscores Armenia’s enduring impact on the sport.
A Legacy of Armenian Innovation in Gymnastics
With this accomplishment, Manukyan becomes the eighth Armenian gymnast to have an element immortalized in the Code of Points, joining an elite lineage:
- Hrant Shahinyan: the Shahinyan pommel horse element, first performed at the 1952 Olympics.
- Albert Azaryan: the iconic Azaryan Cross on rings, debuted in 1953.
- Artur Hakobyan: the Tsukahara double twist vault, performed in 1981.
- Vahagn Stepanyan: a pommel horse skill carrying his name.
- Vahagn Davtyan: the Davtyan Cross on rings (2014).
- Houry Gebeshian: the Gebeshian mount on uneven bars, introduced at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- Artur Davtyan: a pommel horse skill debuted at the 2021 Cairo World Cup.
Now, the “Manukyan” joins this prestigious list, ensuring Hamlet’s name will be called in gymnastics halls for generations to come.
Rising Star for Armenia
Born in Vagharshapat in 2007, Manukyan quickly rose through the ranks of international competition. He claimed Junior World gold in 2023 on both pommel horse and rings, and in 2025 captured the European Championship gold on pommel horse. His latest milestone at the Paris World Challenge Cup not only cements his place in the sport’s history but also affirms Armenia’s reputation as a powerhouse in men’s artistic gymnastics.
As he steps into the final, Manukyan carries not just his own ambitions but the weight of a proud tradition — one that continues to raise Armenia’s flag high on the world stage.
