NEW DELHI: Indian star gymnast Dipa Karmakar introduced her retirement from gymnastics on the age of 31 on Monday, sharing the information on social media platform X.
“After plenty of thought, I’ve determined to retire from gymnastics. This resolution was not straightforward for me, however that is the correct time. Gymnastics has been an enormous a part of my life, and I’m grateful for each second — the highs, the lows, and the whole lot in between,” she wrote.
Karmakar mirrored on her early struggles, remembering how, as a five-year-old with flat ft, she was advised she might by no means develop into a gymnast.Defying the percentages, she went on to symbolize India on the world stage, reaching quite a few accolades. “I really feel immense satisfaction once I take a look at my achievements. Representing India and profitable medals, and most particular of all, performing the Produnova Vault on the Rio Olympics, has been probably the most memorable second of my profession,” she stated. “Right now, I really feel so pleased once I take a look at that Dipa, who had the braveness to dream.”
Her final victory on the 2022 Asian Gymnastics Championship in Tashkent marked a turning level. She admitted that, regardless of her want to push her physique additional, it grew to become clear that it was time to relaxation.
Karmakar additionally expressed her gratitude towards her coaches, Bishweshwar Nandi and Soma Nandi, for guiding her for the previous 25 years. She thanked the Tripura authorities, the Gymnastics Federation, the Sports activities Authority of India, and her household for his or her unwavering assist.
Dipa Karmakar is the primary feminine gymnast from India to compete on the Olympics, the place she completed fourth within the vault occasion on the 2016 Rio Olympics.
She is one in every of solely 5 ladies to have efficiently landed the Produnova Vault, thought of one of the troublesome in gymnastics. All through her profession, Karmakar has gained bronze on the 2014 Commonwealth Video games, the Asian Championships, and made historical past by changing into the primary Indian gymnast to win a gold medal at a worldwide occasion on the FIG World Problem Cup in 2018.
She can be a recipient of the Padma Shri and the Main Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awards.
