Petikyan is a four-time Olympian who has represented three nations: the Soviet Union, the Unified Team and the Republic of Armenia.

Petikyan started shooting in the Yerevan dynamo sports club under the honored coach of Armenia, Martyn Kalechyan.

Petikyan was entrusted with carrying the Armenian flag at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

He won the gold medal in the 50 metre rifle three positions and set the Olympic record at 1,267.4 in the finals.

In 2007, Petikyan participated in the ceremony to light the fire for the IV Pan-Armenian Games.