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Dipa Karmakar, who recently announced retirement from gymnastics, feels that the current generation lacks a passion for the sport and has urged them to embrace the game with zeal to succeed on the international scene. Notably, Dipa Karmakar is the first Indian woman gymnast who successfully competed at the Olympic Games and finished fourth at the 2016 Rio Games.
The Indian Olympian, who was recently present at an event called “Beyond the Finish Line’, organized by Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, inspired many with her skill of performing the tough Produnova vault in the final of the 2016 Rio Games with fourth place finish, but lost to secure an Olympic medal by 0.15 points.
I can't see junoon in the current generation: Dipa Karmakar
Speaking at an event, Dipa said that the young generation lacks enthusiasm for gymnastics and for representing the country at the Olympic level. “I can’t see this junoon (passion) much in the current generation (of gymnasts). I feel they look for short-term, instant success,” she said.
She believes that the Indian gymnastics cause had not benefited from the issues that the national federation had been facing for a while. “There was a problem between the SAI and the federation. For example, the selection criteria for the last Asian Games (2023) were known only after the actual trials, the 31-year-old added.
I want to bring change in the Indian Gymnastics: Dipa Karmakar on her future plans
Dipa is quite skeptical about her return to the sport and is keen on bringing change to Indian gymnastics. “I want to bring changes in Indian gymnastics so that these kinds of problems do not happen in future, but I can’t do this alone,” she added while speaking on the sidelines of an event.
Dipa has two choices, either to take up the role of coach at a later stage of her life or keep supporting the next generation of gymnasts and helping them follow their dreams. Dipa, who is from Agartala, is one of just five female gymnasts in history who have successfully performed the Produnova. Due to the great danger of injury, it is known as the "vault of death" and entails two somersaults before landing.
