Dipa Karmakar announces retirement, reflects on her journey through ‘highs, lows, and everything in between’

New Delhi: Dipa Karmakar, the first Indian woman gymnast to arrive the Olympics and be triumphant in a unparalleled fourth-place finish, announced her retirement on Monday. The 31-year-old gymnast from Tripura made headlines along with her performance within the vault final on the 2016 Rio Games, missing out on an Olympic medal by a narrow margin of just zero.15 points. Known for her mastery of the tough Produnova vault, Dipa’s career has been an inspiration to many. In her statement, she shared, “After a superior deal thought and reflection, I actually have decided to retire from competitive gymnastics. This is now not a simple decision, however it feels identical to the proper time.”

“Gymnastics has been on the centre of my life for on condition that I'm ready to keep in mind, and I am grateful for every moment — the highs, the lows, and the entirety in between.” Dipa said she hopes to supply back to the sport by changing right into a coach someday in her life or she may simply remain a “supporter of the next generation of gymnasts following their dreams”.

Born in Agartala, Dipa Karmakar is thought of one of just five female gymnasts to land Produnova, where she performs two somersaults ahead of landing. Dubbed the ‘vault of death’ attributable to the high degree of harm risk, this tense stunt defines Dipa’s extra special career.

“When I look back, I feel a terrific sense of pride for the entirety I’ve achieved. Representing India on the arena stage, winning medals, and most memorably, performing the Produnova vault on the Rio Olympics, will forever be cherished because the pinnacle of my career,” she said.

“These moments were now not just victories for me; they were victories for every young girl in India who dared to dream, who believed that with labor and determination, the remainder is possible.” Dipa began her journey in gymnastics on the age of six, lower than the guidance of coaches Soma Nandi and Bishweshwar Nandi. Bishweshwar remained her mentor around the world her career, steering her towards kind of various international medals and recognition on the global stage.

“I actually keep in mind the 5-year-old Dipa who became told would now not be able to turn right into a gymnast attributable to having flat feet,” she wrote.

Add to this, she had to coach at inadequately-equipped gyms while growing up and her journey to the Rio Games became an inspiring tale for gymnasts.

Dipa’s pursuit of sporting excellence took off in 2008 when she claimed victory on the Junior Nationals in Jalpaiguri. Her leap forward moment came on the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she earned a bronze medal within the vault, changing into the first Indian woman gymnast to arrive such a feat within the event. This accomplishment put her within the spotlight and marked the origin of her unparalleled international career.

Dipa continued breaking her own barriers, earning a bronze on the Asian Championships in 2015 and finishing fifth on the World Championships that very same year-an unparalleled thing for an Indian female gymnast. Things went pretty demanding after gaining a superior deal attention within the 2016 Rio Olympics. There have been a ramification of injuries and as a result surgical operation. But she has staged a surprising comeback, winning gold on the 2018 Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Turkey to turn into the first Indian gymnast to claim a gold at a worldwide event. Then added some other bronze on the World Cup in Cottbus, Germany later that year. And it should per chance well be her leap forward year in 2021 as she plunged victory into, overcoming greater than one career challenges, with a gold medal on the Asian Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent.

“But my last victory on the Asian Gymnastics Championship in Tashkent became a turning point. After that win, I actually believed I may possibly per chance push my body to arrive new heights again. But infrequently, our bodies tell us it’s time to rest, even when our hearts desire to keep going,” she said.

While Dipa’s career has been unparalleled, no great player is untouched by issues. A prime scandal which set back her tremendous performance became when she became suspended for nearly two years after she became tested positive for banned stimulant Higenamine, used predominantly for treating asthma and cough. The test became held in October 2021 and went largely unreported in India till the news came that she had failed a doping test. She became suspended until July 10, 2023. On the opposite hand, the reality of her career is more unparalleled for illustrious success than scandal. She has been awarded with a couple of outstanding honours, including the Padma Shri, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, and the Arjuna Award, respectively, for her superb service in Indian gymnastics.

“As I step far flung from the competitive arena, I accomplish that with a heart stuffed with memories and lessons that may stay with me forever. I actually have given my blood, sweat, and tears to this sport, and in return, it has given me a life stuffed with purpose, pride, and endless possibilities.

“I am forever grateful to my coaches, teammates, beef up personnel, and most importantly, to all of you — the fans who've stood by me through every high and low,” said Dipa.