Journey from Tripura to Rio, Dipa says it’s possible for all

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 16 

India might not be a force to reckon with when it comes to the gymnastics, but Dipa Karmakar who took the world by surprise with her fourth-place finish in the vault event at the Rio Olympics says there is no dearth of talent in India.  

“I was just another person before finishing fourth in the Olympics. It was after my achievement that I got the recognition. There is no dearth of talent in our nation. However, things here are not streamlined. A player should start at an early age and should be made familiar with the pressure of tournaments,” said Dipa, who was in the city to grace the opening ceremony of the 55th Senior Artistic Gymnastics National Championship and 24th Rhythmic Gymnastics National Championship. The event is being organised by the Chandigarh Gymnastics Association at the Sector 78 Sports Complex at Mohali.

As participants flocked the Olympian, she encouraged them to give their best in every championship. “A player should be keen to learn. He/she should be filled with enthusiasm of winning the top honour for the country,” said Dipa.

The 24-year-old, though, insisted that the athletes should be provided with the best of facilities to grow. “There must be proper equipment for everyone, so that more and more children can practice. Coming from a small state like Tripura, I had never thought of representing the nation. So anyone from anywhere can excel in gymnastics,” she said.

Dipa, meanwhile, reiterated that she would not rush her return and would not be able to compete in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Australia.

“I am recovering from my injury, and under such conditions there is no use participating in such a huge even. However, I will be competing in the Asian Games in Indonesia. I am fully prepared for the event and hope to finish on podium,” said Dipa, who has been out of action following a knee injury in April last year. “I have the age by my side and hope my hard work will pay off in Indonesia,” she said.

Catch them young 

Coach Bishweshwar Nandi, who accompanied Dipa to Mohali, meanwhile, said he was happy with his ward’s progress, but insisted that a podium finish in the Olympics cannot be matched by any other performance.

“I am happy that she became the first Indian to make the cut in the individual finals in her debut Olympics. But a podium finish is something which cannot be compared with any achievement,” said Nandi.   “Nevertheless, she is working hard to clinch a medal in the Asian Games,” he added.

The Dronacharya awardee further said a player should start at the age of five, if he/she wants to become a professional gymnast. “A player should start at the age of five years…and most importantly, a coach should earn a player’s faith. Even in case of Karmakar, her parents never interfered in the coaching,” he insisted. Nandi also said there were strong medal prospects for India in gymnastics in the Commonwealth Games. “Ashish Kumar, Rakesh Patra, Aruna Reddy and Pranati Das are strong contenders for medals in Australia,” he said.ralia," said Nandi