Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who has already created history by qualifying for the final round of the individual vault final of artistic gymnastics, will be in line to script a bigger one when she competes for a medal at the Rio Olympics today
Dipa Karmakar
Rio De Janeiro: Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who has already created history by qualifying for the final round of the individual vault final of artistic gymnastics, will be in line to script a bigger one when she competes for a medal at the Rio Olympics today.
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Dipa Karmakar during the qualifying phase on August 7. PIC/AFP
The 23-year-old qualified for the final round in the individual vault final of artistic gymnastics after finishing eighth in the standings. The Tripura gymnast executed the 'Produnova' in her first attempt on the vault to 15.100 with 8.1 for execution and 7.00 for difficulty.
Back home, Tripura is waiting with bated breath for its daughter to appear in the gymnastics vault final. Dipa's family, specially her father Dulal Karmakar, mother Gauri Devi and elder sister Puja are performing special prayers for her victory. “We have no tension, but we are fanatically waiting to watch Dipa's performance on television. Not only are we, our relatives and neighbours are equally enthusiastic and tensed for Dipa,” Dulal Karmakar, a weightlifting coach with the Sports Authority of India said.
Some local clubs and social activists are organising 'yagnas' for Dipa's success. “We are organising a big yagna here to pray to the almighty so that Dipa wins a medal for the country.
“If she wins a medal, the entire country would be grateful to her forever,” said social activist Sushanta Chowdhury. In the event today, she will face tough challenge from the first seven top medal contenders. Brazil's Rebeca Andrade and the Russian duo of Seda Tutkhalian and Aliya Mustafina, will give a tough fight to the Indian