Asian Games 2018: Dipa Karmakar unable to practise new vault due to lack of equipment
Dipa Karmakar is all set to return after a gap of almost two years. And to make her comeback memorable, she wants to bag a medal at the upcoming Asian Games to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia in August.
The 24-year-old gymnast has decided not to risk attempting the Produnva in Jakarta. Instead, she will be attempting the handspring front somersault with 540 degree turn (twisting in the air). Like the Produnova, it is one of the toughest vaults with a difficulty mark of 5.60.
However, Dipa is not being able to practise her new vault due to lack of equipment in Agartala. This, in turn, might hinder her chances of bagging a medal.
"Dipa is working on regaining her fitness and physical strength at the moment. But she has not been able to practise the new vault which she will be performing at the Asian Games as we do not have the necessary equipment (foam pits) in Agartala. The equipment is being installed but it will take at least 2-3 months more," Dipa's coach Bisweshwar Nandi told Sportskeeda.
The equipment in question, foam pits, is only available at the SAI centres in New Delhi where the national camps are usually held. However, the camp for Asian Games is yet to begin.
"We are hearing that the camp will start in Delhi in a week or so, but we aren't sure. The federation will decide when the camp starts. Once the camp starts, things run be more smoothly," said Nandi, who had previously written to the federation to begin camp just after the Commonwealth Games but to no avail.
On being asked about Dipa's progress, Nandi revealed that she is still not at her 100%. He said, "Gymnastics is a complicated sport, and so, I am a little bit afraid to push her too much and she is also a little bit afraid. She is at 90% fitness at the moment.
"The main aim is Asian Games and we are preparing for the upcoming trials. The first step is to qualify. We are not being able to give too much pressure because she is still recovering from her knee injury. It's only been about a year that she has undergone surgery."