Gymnast Dipa Karmakar announces retirement: 'A tough decision, grateful for every moment'
PTC News Desk: India’s trailblasing gymnast, Dipa Karmakar, announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics on Monday, October 7. In an emotional statement shared on social media, the 31-year-old reflected on her journey and hinted at her future plans, including a possible role as a coach or mentor. Her decision comes just months after she missed out on qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
"After much thought, I have decided to retire from gymnastics. It was not an easy decision, but now feels like the right time. Gymnastics has shaped my life, and I am deeply grateful for every experience—the triumphs, challenges, and everything in between," Dipa shared.
Dipa's journey from a young girl with "flat feet" to an Olympic competitor is an inspiring story in itself. She rose to global fame after her remarkable performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she competed in the highly challenging Produnova Vault. Dipa finished fourth in the event with an impressive score of 15.066, falling just 0.15 points short of an Olympic medal. That performance captivated the nation and remains one of the defining moments in Indian gymnastics.
"Looking back, I feel immense pride. From representing India on the world stage to performing the Produnova Vault at Rio, these are moments I will forever cherish. The little girl in me, who was told she couldn't become a gymnast because of her flat feet, is smiling today," she added.
Dipa also highlighted her last victory at the 2024 Asian Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent as a pivotal moment in her decision to retire. "It was during that event that I realised my body was asking me to rest, even if my heart wasn’t ready."
Her accolades are numerous. In 2014, she became the first Indian woman to win a gymnastics medal at the Commonwealth Games, earning bronze in the vault event in Glasgow. She continued her success with another bronze at the 2015 Asian Championships and a remarkable fifth-place finish at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships the same year. For her achievements, Dipa was honored with the Khel Ratna in 2016 and the Padma Shri in 2017.
However, Dipa’s journey was not without challenges. She faced injuries, underwent two knee surgeries, and served a 21-month suspension for a doping violation. Despite these setbacks, she made a triumphant return in May 2024 by securing a gold medal at the Asian Senior Championships in the vault event, with a score of 13.566.
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In her farewell note, Dipa expressed deep gratitude to her coaches, Bishweshwar Nandi and Soma Ma'am, who guided her for over 25 years, and acknowledged the support she received from the Tripura government, Gymnastics Federation of India, Sports Authority of India, GoSports Foundation, and Meraki Sport & Entertainment. Above all, she thanked her family for standing by her through the highs and lows of her career.
"Although I am retiring, my connection with gymnastics will never fade. I hope to contribute to the sport by mentoring, coaching, or supporting girls like me," Dipa concluded, signaling her intent to remain a vital figure in Indian gymnastics for years to come.
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- With inputs from agencies
