One of India’s most decorated gymnast, Dipa Karmakar, who finished fourth at the Rio Olympics in the vault event, has returned from the sport. The 31-year-old Dipa made an announcement through a lengthy social media post. “After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from competitive gymnastics. This is not an easy decision, but it feels like the right time. Gymnastics has been at the centre of my life for as long as I can remember, and I am grateful for every moment—the highs, the lows, and everything in between,” she wrote.
Dipa Karmakar Pens Emotional Note on Retirement
Her journey started with a bronze medal in the CWG 2014, becoming the first Indian to do so. “When I look back, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride for everything I’ve achieved. Representing India on the world stage, winning medals, and most memorably, performing the Produnova vault at the Rio Olympics, will forever be cherished as the pinnacle of my career. These moments were not just victories for me; they were victories for every young girl in India who dared to dream, who believed that with hard work and determination, anything is possible”.
Over the last few years, Dipa Karmakar had been struggling with injuries. Still she managed to produce a gold at the 2018 Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Turkey. She followed that up with a bronze in the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Cottbus. For her achievements, she was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
