Dipa Karmakar, a renowned gymnast and a pride of India, has officially retired from competitive gymnastics. After dedicating 25 years to the sport which was somewhat riddled with injuries, she has decided to step away due to the physical toll it has taken on her body. Karmakar announced her retirement in an emotional post on social media.
Dipa Karmakar announces retirement
“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,” Karmakar's social media post read.
Under the guidance of her coaches Soma Nandi and Bishweshar Nandi, Dipa Karmakar achieved several significant milestones in her gymnastics career. In 2014, she made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a bronze medal in gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games, securing it in the vault category. She followed this up with another bronze medal at the Asian Championships in 2015. A defining moment in her career came at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Dipa Karmakar became the first Indian female gymnast to qualify for the final vault event, where she secured an impressive fourth-place finish. She also made history by being the fifth woman in gymnastics history to successfully execute the challenging Produnova vault.
“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,” her post added.
Dipa Karmakar's triumphs over adversity
Following her impressive performance at the Rio Olympics, Dipa Karmakar faced a series of challenges, including injuries and surgeries. Despite these setbacks, she demonstrated remarkable resilience. In 2018, she made history by becoming the first Indian gymnast to win a gold medal at a global event, clinching it at the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Turkey. She further showcased her talent by earning a bronze medal at the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Cottbus.
In 2021, Dipa Karmakar continued to defy odds, winning a gold medal at the Asian Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent. While she believed this victory would mark a turning point, the mental demands of the sport ultimately led her to make the difficult decision to retire.
“But my last victory at the Asian Gymnastics Championship in Tashkent was a turning point. After that win, I truly believed I could push my body to reach new heights again. But sometimes, our bodies tell us it's time to rest, even when our hearts want to keep going”.
Karmakar's exceptional career has been celebrated with numerous prestigious awards. She has been honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, the Arjuna Award for her outstanding sporting achievements, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the country's highest sports honor. Furthermore, Karmakar was recognized for her remarkable impact and accomplishments by being included in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list of Super Achievers.
“As I step away from the competitive arena, I do so with a heart full of memories and lessons that will stay with me forever. I have given my blood, sweat, and tears to this sport, and in return, it has given me a life full of purpose, pride, and endless possibilities. I am forever grateful to my coaches, teammates, support staff, and most importantly, to all of you—the fans who have stood by me through every high and low. Your unwavering support has been the wind beneath my wings, lifting me even in my darkest hours. Though my days of competing are over, my connection to gymnastics is forever. I hope to give back to the sport I love—maybe as a mentor, a coach, or simply as a supporter of the next generation of gymnasts following their dreams”.
"As I conclude this incredible chapter of my life, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Bishweshwar Nandi and Soma Nandi, my coaches for the past 25 years I am also thankful to the government of Tripura, the Gymnastics Federation, the Sports Authority of India, GoSports Foundation, and Meraki Sport & Entertainment for their support. Thank you for being an integral part of my journey," Karmakar's post concluded.
