8 october 2024 : Trailblazing gymnast Dipa Karmakar announced her retirement on Monday, ending a remarkable career that shattered barriers for Indian sports. Karmakar made history as the first Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics and came agonizingly close to winning a medal. She is one of only five women worldwide to have mastered the challenging Produnova vault.
After much contemplation, Karmakar, 31, revealed her decision to retire from competitive gymnastics, acknowledging it was a difficult choice but one that felt right. “Gymnastics has been the center of my life, and I am thankful for every moment—the triumphs, the challenges, and everything in between,” she shared in her statement.
Karmakar’s groundbreaking journey began when she became the first Indian female gymnast to compete at the Olympics in Rio 2016. She narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in the vault event with a score of 15.066, just 0.15 points behind bronze medalist Giulia Steingruber of Switzerland.
Her last victory at the 2024 Asian Championships in Tashkent marked a significant turning point in her career. Despite facing a doping suspension in 2021, she made a triumphant return and clinched gold. Reflecting on her journey, Karmakar said, “My last victory at the Asian Championships made me realize I could no longer push my body. There are moments when the body tells you it’s time to rest.”
Although she is retiring, Karmakar expressed her desire to remain connected to gymnastics, possibly as a mentor, coach, or by supporting young girls in the sport. She also recalled her childhood struggles when people doubted her potential due to her flat feet. “Today, I look back with pride at everything I have achieved—representing India on the global stage, winning medals, and most importantly, performing the Produnova vault at the Rio Olympics. That will always be the most special moment of my career,” she said in an emotional post.
