New Delhi: She became synonymous with the Produnova vault after her sparkling show at the Rio Games but ace gymnast Dipa Karmakar may switch from the ‘Vault of Death’ to a new move, the ‘Handspring 540’ at the 2018 CWG in Gold Coast, Australia.
The Tripura gymnast underwent a surgery in April and has not competed anywhere including the Asian Championships and will also skip the World Championships in Canada as she recovers from an anterior crucial ligament (ACL) injury in her right knee.
Karmakar, who turned 24 Wednesday, revealed that she has started training to add a new vault to her skills. “There is a Handspring 540 degree turn which could be there (at CWG). It’s a twist movement in the air. In the handspring front movement, it’s the most difficult vault but below Produnova,” Karmakar told this agency Thursday.
Asked why she decided to add something new to her repertoire since she is known as the ‘Produnova girl’, the diminutive gymnast said, “I don’t want to take pressure due to my injury. My main target is the 2020 Olympics. If I can perform this Handspring 540 to perfection I can win a medal (at CWG). Produnova will also continue.”
Her coach Bishweswar Nandi, who is overseeing her rehabilitation programme, further explained why he chose a new vault for his ward.
“She already knows two vaults and now I am teaching her a third one. She can perform any two but which ones, we have not decided. The basic training (for Handspring 540) has begun and after two months she will start executing the vault.”
press trust of india
