A LASTING LEGACY

DIPA KARMAKAR, an iconic name in Indian gymnastics, has announced her retirement. Kayal Arivalan speaks to the champion about her illustrious career

- Kayal Arivalan

Known for her courage, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements, Dipa Karmakar's journey from the small town of Agartala, Tripura, to the global gymnastics stage is truly remarkable.

The 31-year-old athlete has had a huge impact on Indian sports in the field of gymnastics. In 2016, she became the first Indian female gymnast to compete in the Olympics, where she showcased her skills in the women's vault event. Although she narrowly missed a medal by just 0.15 points, her efforts left a lasting impression. Dipa shares, "I was really hurt that I couldn't bag a medal at the Olympics. But one thing I'm proud of is that I didn't give up - I represented India on an international level. I took both the positives and negatives out of the experience and understood the value of being fourth and missing out on a medal."