Dipa Karmakar, the trailblazing Indian gymnast who made history by becoming the first Indian woman to compete at the Olympics and finish an inspiring fourth in the 2016 Rio Games, has expressed concern about the lack of passion in the current generation of gymnasts. She believes this lack of passion is hindering their progress on the global stage.
During a panel discussion at the ‘Beyond the Finish Line’ event organized by Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, Dipa, known for her fearless execution of the highly-difficult Produnova vault, stated, “There was junoon (passion) in Dipa, that is why. Same for Pranati.” She pointed out that this fire within is a key ingredient for success in gymnastics, saying, “I can’t see this junoon (passion) much in the current generation (of gymnasts). I feel they look for short-term, instant success.”
Dipa’s concerns are not unfounded. Despite the remarkable achievements of Pranati Nayak, who secured bronze medals in the vault at the 2019 and 2022 Asian Championships, India’s gymnastics scene is yet to see a resurgence of success at the international level.
The 31-year-old gymnast, who retired earlier this month after a career marked by injuries and unwavering determination, believes that the current state of the national federation is also contributing to the challenges facing Indian gymnastics. She highlighted the lack of transparency in the selection process for the 2023 Asian Games as a major issue, stating, “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.”
Despite her retirement, Dipa remains committed to improving the landscape of Indian gymnastics. She expressed her desire to “bring changes in Indian gymnastics so that these kinds of problems do not happen in future,” but acknowledged that she cannot achieve this alone. Dipa’s dedication to the sport is evident in her decision to retire after winning a vault gold medal at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent just months prior. She explained her decision, stating, “I had two ACL surgeries, shoulder and ankle injury. I was not being able to do my main event of vault the way I wanted. If the body is not allowed to push, there is no point in continuing.”
Dipa’s journey in gymnastics has been a testament to her unwavering dedication and the power of pushing boundaries. From facing skepticism about women participating in the sport in her home state of Tripura to putting the state on the Indian sporting map, she has shattered stereotypes and inspired a generation. Dipa’s words serve as a powerful call to action for the next generation of Indian gymnasts: embrace passion, focus on long-term goals, and strive for excellence on the global stage. This renewed commitment, coupled with a more transparent and supportive national federation, could be the catalyst for a new chapter of success in Indian gymnastics.