Israeli Gymnast Artur Dalaloyan Wins European Gold Despite Doubts About His Form

Artur Dalaloyan, Israel's leading gymnast from Maccabi Tel Aviv, secured the gold medal in the floor exercise at the European Championships held in Zagreb, Croatia, on August 21, 2026. He earned a score of 14.466 in the final, adding another prestigious title to his extensive career achievements. Dalaloyan shared in an interview that despite his success, he struggled with doubts about his ability to remain at the top level, especially after a fall in the previous European Championship where he finished seventh and a subsequent fall at the Israeli national championship.

He described the physical and mental challenges he faced, including fatigue from competing in multiple events and the pressure of performing well after setbacks. Dalaloyan recounted a mistake during his routine where he stepped out of bounds with one heel, costing him a tenth of a point, but he managed to overcome this and deliver an excellent performance. He also highlighted the importance of qualifying the Israeli team for the World Championships, noting the physical toll but emphasizing the dream of competing as a team at the Olympics.

Looking ahead to the upcoming World Championships in October, Dalaloyan plans to rest briefly before resuming intensive preparations. At nearly 31 years old, he acknowledged the increased difficulty in recovery and training but emphasized adapting his regimen to work smarter, focusing more on recovery. He also addressed the political tensions sometimes surrounding Israeli athletes but stated that he concentrates solely on his performance and avoids external distractions.

Dalaloyan’s resilience and strategic approach to training demonstrate his commitment to maintaining elite status in gymnastics as he aims for continued success on the world stage.