Vault of Death Unplugged

DIPA KARMAKAR, the first Indian gymnast to compete in Summer Olympics in 52 years, astounded the world with her performance. She couldn’t win bronze but won hearts. The 23-year-old from Tripura came fourth in Women’s Vault Gymnastics with a score of 15.066. After coming back to India, she opened up to WB STUMPS about plans post the success in Rio.

How does it feel after coming back, what’s next?

I have had to immediately get back to academics after my return, as I am currently taking my second semester MA Political Science exams. Post that, I plan to take about ten days off from sport. I will slowly resume training with a focus on conditioning.

Everyone knows about the celebrations and felicitations after your success. But tell us a bit about your inner self. What was going on in your mind before the final vault?

My coach just had one simple instruction for me — to do what I had been practicing and land the way I had done during my practice sessions. I simply wanted to do my best to remain in contention for the highest possible finish.

Did you train after returning? How different will be the approach to training now?

Training will resume after a short break. The focus will be more toward conditioning in the initial stages and then I will try and see how we can improve my performance overall on the other apparatus as well.

Why don't we see more gymnasts from India, what do you think could be the reason? What would be your message to young girls who may want to be like you?

I believe gymnastics hasn’t been taken seriously as a sport that one can pursue successfully in India. I hope that my performances over the years will motivate people to change that. I am sure, if this is done and younger gymnasts work hard and stay focused, we will soon see many more gymnasts from India. I really hope that when Tokyo 2020 comes around, we will have an entire team representing India.

How did Dipa Karmakar happen and who are the people behind? Tell us one anecdote from your childhood when you had flat feet, how did you motivate yourself?

Tripura’s connection with gymnastics is over four decades old. It is not seen as a form of exercise or leisure but as a source of steady income to sustain livelihood. My father, a weightlifter, introduced me to gymnastics. I have been training since I was six. Soma Nandi coached me initially and then, she suggested her husband guide my progress. Bishweshwar Nandi trusted my potential and knew that with right guidance and practice, I could succeed. I was flat-footed which could have caused trouble in gymnastics but I convinced myself that I could become a good athlete. I focused on the exercises my coach gave me, doing them throughout the day for eight months. The diligence paid off, and we were able to correct my flat feet.

People usually dismiss Bengalis as lazy and laidback, what would be your message to them?

My message to them will only be that, in the formula for success, hard work always has the highest weight. I have only believed in putting in my 100 per cent and trusted my coach’s dedication. My performance is a result of our efforts, it should be proof enough to dispel the myth.

Any plans of a gymnastic school for kids in future?

Currently, I am not thinking that far ahead into the future, but it would be great to have a centre of excellence which can produce more international quality gymnasts from India.

Your favourite athletes and why?

Sachin Tendulkar has had an inspirational career and has given us so many moments to cherish. I look up to him for his perseverance, which helped him play for more than two decades. In my field, gymnasts Nastia Liukin and Oksana Chusovitina have been my role models. I have also been a part of GoSports Foundation under the Rahul Dravid Athlete Mentorship Programme since 2015.