8 october 2024 : Dipa Karmakar, India’s pioneering gymnast, announced her retirement on Monday, ending a career that brought her international recognition and inspired countless dreams. Karmakar became a household name for executing the dangerous Produnova vault, known as the ‘vault of death,’ at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She finished fourth in the women’s vault final, just 0.15 points shy of a bronze, making her the first Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics.
Despite being plagued by injuries over the years, Karmakar’s achievements, especially at the Rio Olympics, made her a trailblazer in a sport with little history in India. Her memorable Produnova vault in Rio—only attempted by a few gymnasts globally—was a testament to her bravery and skill.
After a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Championships in Tashkent, Karmakar realized her body could no longer endure the toll required to compete at the highest level. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed pride in overcoming personal challenges, including being told as a child that her flat feet would prevent her from becoming a gymnast.
Karmakar’s career included a Commonwealth Games bronze in 2014, a bronze at the Asian Championships in 2015, and being the first Indian gymnast to make an Olympic final. However, recurring injuries, including an ACL surgery, prevented her from making a successful comeback for the Paris Olympics.
Expressing gratitude towards her coaches, parents, and supporters, Dipa stated that although her competitive journey has ended, her connection to gymnastics would continue. She plans to give back to the sport, possibly as a coach or mentor, supporting the next generation of gymnasts.
