PTI
Rio de Janeiro, August 8: Trailblazer, history-maker, one cannot really get the correct word to describe gymnast Dipa Karmakar. The child who was once rejected from a gymnastic coaching camp, who practiced vaults on makeshift life-threatening mattresses, became Sunday the first Indian gymnast to qualify for the final of an Olympic event in the history of the Games.
The Agartala-based gymnast became the first Indian to make the cut for the individual vault finals in her debut Olympic Games after finishing eighth in the qualifying round here. Even if she fails to win a medal when the entire country would (should) be watching her August 14, her feat is just epic. Dipa performed her much-appreciated ‘Produnova’ vault cleanly to secure 14.850 points after two attempts to make it to the finals..
It was a nervous wait for the Indian after that. She had ended sixth after the third of five sub-divisions. She dropped to eighth eventually when Canadian Shallon Olsen’s terrific effort of 14.950 rejigged the overall standings.
“I’m happy but wish I could have done a bit better. In practice, I perform way better than this,” Dipa said. She secured 7.000 on difficulty and 8.1 on execution in her first attempt. Her score for difficulty was a tad lower at 6.000 in the second attempt.
She landed low on her Produnova vault in the first attempt, while her second vault was a ‘Tsuk double full twist’ with step to the side.
Ahead of her event, Dipa received a big boost when she was wished luck by none other than three-time World Champion Simone Biles of the US.
The 19-year-old star American, who has a record 10 World Championship gold medals in her kitty came up to the unassuming Tripura lass and wished her ‘luck’ for she may have perfected the art of gymnastics but when it comes to ‘Produnova’ it’s terrifying.
“Simon Biles came up to me and wished me luck to do well in Produnova. She is like a star to me and difficult to think of standing beside her. I’m so overwhelmed,” Dipa told reporters.
Biles eventually topped the charts with a sensational score of 16.050. The American scored a brilliant 9.700 on execution in both her attempts.
In the other routines, Dipa secured 11.666 for her effort on the uneven bars, scoring low on difficulty but decent on execution. Later, Dipa scored 12.866 for her performance on the balance beam. The floor exercise fetched Dipa a score of 12.033, which also included a 0.300 penalty.
“It’s my first Olympics, feels great. There was lot of noise from the local Brazilian supporters. It was so much noise that I found it difficult to hear the music,” Dipa pointed out.
“There’s no comparison of the test event to that of the atmosphere in the Olympics. The Olympic judging is very strict here. Those who usually get 16 are getting about 13. The scoring is tight,” added the Indian.
In the all-round standing points tally, Dipa finished a poor 47th with a combined score of 51.665. The 24 men and 24 women with the highest combined individual totals move on to the all-around finals.
Dipa fever grips Tripura
IANS
Agartala, August 8: Gymnast Dipa Karmakar’s parents in Tripura are overjoyed over their daughter making it to the Olympic final, the first Indian woman ever to do so, and are praying that she finishes within the top three.
Dipa’s father, a former SAI coach in weightlifting, and mother will perform a special puja to pray for her victory Tuesday, when Dipa turns 23.
“This exciting news of Dipa’s qualification for the Olympic finals has not only stirred us but will cheer every Indian, and especially the people of Tripura,” Dipa’s father Dulal Karmakar stated here Monday.
“Our long cherished dream is fulfilled, as our daughter got the berth for the final event in the highest international sports meet,” Dipa’s mother stated with tears of joy flowing over her cheeks.
Dulal also informed that the entire locality of the area they live in here, had flocked in front of their TV sets to watch Dipa’s event.
“Throughout Sunday night we along with our relatives and neighbours sat in front of the television set. We got the news early Monday of her qualifying for the final,” said Dulal. He also said that his daughter had called before the event began to state that she was very nervous.
Tripura has been under the grip of ‘Dipa fever’ since early Monday after news of Dipa’s success spread across the state through television and mobile phones. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, a sports lover said, “It is a matter of great pride and joy. I would not give her any advice as she is capable enough to deal with her affairs. The world is waiting to see her feats.”
“Not only Tripura and India, the entire world is keen to see her performance in the artistic gymnastics event,” Sarkar said.
