By Jean Eckian 

PARIS - Dubbed King Arthur by the French press, legendary gymnast Arthur Magakian   died Thursday at age 89 from a brain tumor.

Magakian became champion of France in junior decathlon gymnastics in 1945. 

In 1952, an injury   prevented him from participating in the Olympic Games in Helsinki and his career came to an end.

Magakian then became one of the leading coaches and leaders of the French Gymnastics Federation and was its first national technical director from 1963 to 1986.   

His remarkable career was rewarded with the Legion of Honor, the National Order of Merit and the Gold Medal of Youth and Sports. 

Magakian was born on November 11, 1925 in Vienne (France)

His funeral will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 8, in Valence (France).