Top five achievements of gymnast Dipa Karmakar

Dipa Karmakar narrowly missed out on a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Dipa Karmakar, born on August 9, 1993, in Agartala, Tripura, became one of India’s leading gymnasts. She began gymnastics at six-years-old and overcame the challenge of having flat feet, a condition that can hinder performance.

Karmakar’s career was filled with significant milestones that brought Indian gymnastics into the spotlight. Her commitment to the sport and her skills in executing complex routines, especially on the vault, earned her recognition, both in India and around the world.

As she bids farewell to the sport, let’s take a look at the top five achievements that highlighted Dipa Karmakar’s impressive career:

5. Dipa Karmakar sets Indian history in 2014 Commonwealth Games

Karmakar’s rise on the international scene began at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, where she won a bronze medal in the vault event. This made her the first Indian woman to earn a Commonwealth Games medal in gymnastics.

This achievement was crucial as it showcased India’s increasing competitiveness in a sport often dominated by other countries. Karmakar’s successful performance included the execution of the produnova vault, which distinguished her from her rivals and set the stage for her future accomplishments.

4. Dipa Karmakar finishes on top of the podium in 2018 World Challenge Cup

In July 2018, Karmakar reached a significant point in her career by winning gold at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in Mersin, Turkey. This win made her the first Indian gymnast to earn a gold medal at a global competition. She competed in her best event, the vault.

One of Karmakar’s standout accomplishments is her prowess in the Produnova vault, known as the “vault of death” due to its high difficulty and risk of injury if not done correctly. She is among only five women worldwide who have successfully executed this vault in competition.

3. Dipa Karmakar shines with bronze in 2018 World Cup

Karmakar continued to build her international medal collection by winning a bronze medal in the vault at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Cottbus, Germany in 2018. This achievement further cemented her status as one of the top gymnasts, proving that she could deliver strong performances time and again on the world stage.

Winning the World Cup medal was particularly meaningful, as she earned it against tough international competition, showcasing that her success wasn’t limited to regional events but extended to the global level.

2. Dipa Karmakar reigns supreme in Asian Gymnastics Championships

In 2024, Dipa Karmakar made history by winning gold in the women’s vault at the Asian Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, becoming the first Indian gymnast to claim a gold medal at the event.

She outscored competitors from North Korea who took the next two podium finishes, with an impressive 13.566. This marked Dipa’s second medal at the Asian Gymnastics Championships, following her bronze (14.725) in Hiroshima in 2015.

Also Read: Dipa Karmakar becomes first Indian to clinch gold at Asian Gymnastics Championships

1. Dipa Karmakar misses out Olympic podium in 2016

In 2016, Dipa Karmakar made history as the first Indian woman gymnast to compete in the Olympic Games. This was a major milestone for Indian gymnastics, ending a 52-year absence from the Olympics. At the Rio Games, she not only participated but also qualified for the vault final.

Competing against tough opponents, she finished fourth with a score of 15.066, just 0.15 points shy of a bronze medal. Her remarkable performance, especially her execution of the challenging Produnova vault, drew global attention and inspired many young athletes in India.

These successes have brought Dipa Karmakar many honours, including the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the nation’s top sports honour. Her path from a small town in Tripura to the Olympics has shattered limits for Indian gymnastics and motivated many young athletes in the country to chase their sporting dreams.

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