India’s first female Olympian gymnast Dipa Karmakar announces retirement
Celebrated Indian artistic gymnast Dipa Karmakar announced her retirement from the sport today (October 7). Dipa was the first Indian female to have competed in gymnastics at the Olympics. She finished fourth in the vault event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, losing the bronze by a margin of mere 0.15 points.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the 31-year-old expressed being grateful for having accomplished what she did right through her career. Karmakar also opened up on it not being the easiest of decisions, but one that feels right.
“After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from competitive gymnastics. This is not an easy decision, but it feels like the right time. Gymnastics has been at the centre of my life for as long as I can remember, and I am grateful for every moment—the highs, the lows, and everything in between,” shared Dipa. (via The Indian Express)
Dipa Karmakar expressed her happiness for having lived a childhood dream. She also shared her challenge with 'flat feet' that she never let be an obstacle.
“I still remember the 5-year-old Dipa who was told that she couldn’t be a gymnast because of her flat feet. To represent India on the world stage and win medals as well as performing the Produnova Vault at the Rio Olympics have been some of the most memorable moments in my career. I feel very happy for that Dipa who had the courage to dream.”
Dipa Karmakar ends career as a pioneer of Indian gymanstics
Though Dipa Karmakar will no longer be competing, her contributions to the growth of the sport in the country have been immense. An Arjuna Awardee, Dipa is often termed as India's 'Small Wonder' given her 4 feet 11 inches stature.
By qualifying for the 2016 Games, the Tripura-born gymnast ended India's 52-year-long wait to compete in artistic gymnastics at the Olympics. Karmakar then went on to win the gold at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup 2018 in Turkey. She followed it up with a bronze at the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup 2018 in Germany adding yet another feather to her hat.