Hovakimyan and Mkrtchyan Win Gold Medals at the Balkan Championships

Armenian athletes performed successfully at the 2026 Balkan Indoor Athletics Championships, held on February 21 in Belgrade. Representatives of Armenia won two gold medals, delivering strong performances in the triple jump and the 1500 meters.

Triple Jump

21-year-old Gor Hovakimyan won the triple jump competition with a result of 16.66 meters, surpassing athletes from Turkey and Greece who finished second and third respectively. It was Gor’s first title at this tournament.

Razmik Ghazaryan narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth with 16.21 meters. Levon Aghasyan was entered in the competition but did not start (DNS).

Results:

1. Gor Hovakimyan — 16.66
   4. Razmik Ghazaryan — 16.21
   Levon Aghasyan — DNS

1500 Meters

29-year-old Yervand Mkrtchyan confidently won the 1500-meter race with a time of 3:42.29. This victory marked his seventh title at Balkan Championships events — three indoors and four outdoors. In Belgrade, he finished ahead of representatives from Serbia and Slovenia.

Result: Yervand Mkrtchyan — 3:42.29

Other Armenian Athletes’ Performances

60 m sprint — 21st place
Samvel Gevorgyan — 7.00

800 m — 13th place
Gor Harutyunyan — 1:54.49

400 m — 16th place
Stepa Andreasyan — 51.53

3000 m — 8th place
Roman Aleksanyan — 8:56.28

The Armenian national team’s performance at the championships in Belgrade was marked by two gold medals and several solid results, confirming the team’s consistent level on the regional stage.