Dipa Karmakar dropped from Asian Games squad

Published at :August 7, 2023 at 5:25 PM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 5:07 PM

(Courtesy : English Jagran)

She finished a credible fourth at the Rio Olympics.

Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar’s name has been removed from the final list of athletes from the individual events for the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games 2023. The Rio Olympian, according to Gymnastics Federation of India, had finished first in the trials in Artistic Gymnastics ahead of the squad selection but now her name has been removed with Pranati Nayak and Pranati Das set to spearhead the contingent.

However, the sports ministry hasn’t approved the final squad and the confirmation of athletes participating will be known only when the Ministry approves. A source to TOI said, “Dipa’s name hasn’t been considered for final selection. She has been away from Gymnastics since 2019 because of injuries and doping suspensions and simultaneously hasn’t competed for a long time.”

Dipa Karmakar has further approached SAI officials in Sports Authority of India (SAI) with a request to offer her relaxation in eligibity criteria. Deepa stated, “I faced several setbacks in including two ACL tears in 2017 and 2019, limited opportunities to compete in the pandemic, and a 21-month suspension that concluded in mid-July due to doping violation. I earnestly request the sports ministry to consider my exceptional circumstances and kindly grant the necessary relaxation in the eligibity criteria.”

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The 29-year-old changed the face of gymnastics in India after finishing fourth at the Rio Olympics in 2016. She lost an Olympic medal by just 0.15 points. The athlete from Tripura performed a difficult a prodonova vault and competed against world top gymnasts like Simone Bailes and Maria Paseka.

Dipa has been won several accolades and first came into limelight after winning bronze at the Commonwealth Games in 2014. However she made it up by winning gold in the next edition in 2018. The path since 2019 hasn’t been good as she suffered from injuries and was suspended for doping. Due to these Dipa missed out in taking part in Tokyo Olympics 2020.

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