Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Serena Williams
Badminton
PV Sindhu
Indian Hockey Team
Boxing
Wrestling
Commonwealth Games (CWG)
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / Sports News / #NewsBytesExclusive: An interview with India's 'Small Wonder' Gymnast Dipa Karmakar
Sports

#NewsBytesExclusive: An interview with India's 'Small Wonder' Gymnast Dipa Karmakar

#NewsBytesExclusive: An interview with India's 'Small Wonder' Gymnast Dipa Karmakar
Written by Ramya Patelkhana
Feb 23, 2019, 02:53 pm 4 min read
#NewsBytesExclusive: An interview with India's 'Small Wonder' Gymnast Dipa Karmakar

Gymnast Dipa Karmakar became a household name after her stunning performance at Rio 2016 Olympics. She represented India at many international events and won several medals, including World Gymnastics Challenge Cup gold, Commonwealth bronze, and Asian Championships bronze. She was conferred with Padma Shri in 2017. In an exclusive interview with NewsBytes, Karmakar talked about her journey, recently-launched biography, Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and more.

Biography
When Dipa Karmakar decided to pen her story

Karmakar's biography, titled "Dipa Karmakar: The Small Wonder", was recently launched in January. She decided to pen her journey after many at Rio Olympics asked her where Tripura is and how she could be at the elite stage hailing from a small-town. She felt her story needed to be told to inspire people, especially from smaller states, to pursue gymnastics or any other sport.

Her journey
Karmakar talks about her journey

Karmakar began gymnastics when she was just five-and-a-half years old. Though she had flat feet, a physical feature considered a challenge for gymnasts, she overcame it and mastered gymnastics. "In 2007, Nandi sir (coach Bishweshwar Nandi) saw the potential in me...that's when we decided...I should give gymnastics a shot. In 2008, I won my first junior Nationals in Jalpaiguri...the rest is history," she said.

Role model
Her motivation and role model

Karmakar is the first ever Indian female gymnast to compete in the Olympics. When asked what motivated her and who her role model is, she said, "My biggest motivation and role model has been the amazing Nadia Comaneci." "I am in such awe of what she has done to gymnastics and I feel incredibly blessed that she has fore-worded my memoir," she added.

Changes witnessed
Karmakar on the changes she has seen in Indian gymnastics

On the changes she witnessed in Indian gymnastics since her debut, Karmakar said initially there was a lack of proper equipment and awareness about gymnastics. She added, "People today know gymnastics...there are also gymnastic academies being made to support and nurture...athletes who want to take up gymnastics.... We are going in the right direction...soon we will be having more gymnasts in the elite category."

Details
Will she perform Produnova at Tokyo Olympics?

Karmakar is one of the only five women who've successfully landed the very difficult Produnova vault. She said, "In 2014, Nandi sir started researching the Produnova...and started on it just 3 months prior to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. I did a thousand Produnova before Olympics." "We still have to decide on whether we will be performing the (Produnova) vault (at Tokyo 2020)," she added.

Tokyo 2020
On why she skipped the World Cup in Melbourne

Karmakar decided to skip the World Cup in Melbourne and compete in the back-to-back World Cups in Baku and Doha in March. On how the decision will enhance her chances of qualifying for Tokyo Olympics, she said, "We skipped the World Cup in Melbourne so we could have a little more time to prepare for the other two."

Quote
Gymnastics is a risk-prone event, says Karmakar

Vault event is risk-prone and is known to cause spinal injuries. Karmakar said, "Gymnastics is a risk-prone event.... You might never know which event will lead to what injury. As of now, thankfully, I do not have any spinal injuries."

Fitness
Karmakar reveals her fitness regime

Karmakar said, "When I am preparing for competition, it is usually intense training which also includes rehab sessions. My regime includes a lot of strength training, flexibility, agility, static, and dynamic movements and certain exercises which are specific to gymnastics." "To ensure...muscles remain flexible and strong I do certain hamstring exercises. My post-training exercises include a lot of stretching and muscle massages," she added.

Expectations, Pressure
How Karmakar deals with high expectations and mental pressure

The entire country has high expectations from Dipa Karmakar and is waiting to see her bag a medal at the Tokyo Olympics. On how she deals with such expectations, Karmakar said, "I do not let this expectation pressurize me in any way. We just hope... things go as per plan and we are able to qualify for the Olympics and have a respectable finish."

Quote
Request everyone to keep showing love and support: Karmakar

Dipa Karmakar signed off with a message to her fans and NewsBytes' readers. The ace gymnast said, "I would like to thank everyone who has supported gymnastics and me and would request everyone to keep showing their love and support towards the game and me."

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Ramya Patelkhana
Ramya Patelkhana
Mail
Ramya Patelkhana is a senior editor at NewsBytes. She has nearly seven years of experience in digital journalism and has previously worked with India News and Authint Media. She has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala, and an advanced diploma in Media Studies from IPW, New Delhi.
Latest
India
Sachin Tendulkar
Melbourne
Athletics
Padma Shri
Latest
Centre's U-turn on Rohingyas: MHA says no flats in Delhi
Centre's U-turn on Rohingyas: MHA says no flats in Delhi India
Sensex climbs to 60,260 points, Nifty settles near 17,950 mark
Sensex climbs to 60,260 points, Nifty settles near 17,950 mark Business
Six of family found dead inside separate houses in Jammu
Six of family found dead inside separate houses in Jammu India
Cincinnati Masters, Daniil Medvedev overcomes van de Zandschulp: Key stats
Cincinnati Masters, Daniil Medvedev overcomes van de Zandschulp: Key stats Sports
No harassment if woman wears 'sexually provocative' dress: Kerala court
No harassment if woman wears 'sexually provocative' dress: Kerala court India
India
National Thrift Shop Day: Here's why thrifting is sustainable
National Thrift Shop Day: Here's why thrifting is sustainable Lifestyle
Here's how you can protect yourself from monkeypox
Here's how you can protect yourself from monkeypox Lifestyle
What to do with the Indian flag after Independence Day
What to do with the Indian flag after Independence Day India
Will oppose distortion of history: Congress after BJP questions Nehru
Will oppose distortion of history: Congress after BJP questions Nehru India
India@75: National Flag unfurled in space by Space Kidz India
India@75: National Flag unfurled in space by Space Kidz India India
More News
Sachin Tendulkar
Reversible wool coat to signed bat: Ranveer Singh's unusual possessions
Reversible wool coat to signed bat: Ranveer Singh's unusual possessions Entertainment
Here are the unbreakable records of India's Virat Kohli
Here are the unbreakable records of India's Virat Kohli Sports
A look at the unbreakable records in One-Day Internationals
A look at the unbreakable records in One-Day Internationals Sports
Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar: Did Master Blaster ever slump?
Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar: Did Master Blaster ever slump? Sports
MS Dhoni vs Rishabh Pant: Decoding their stats in Tests
MS Dhoni vs Rishabh Pant: Decoding their stats in Tests Sports
More News
Melbourne
Rafael Nadal wins Melbourne Summer Set, clinches 89th ATP title
Rafael Nadal wins Melbourne Summer Set, clinches 89th ATP title Sports
Melbourne Summer Set: Rafael Nadal claims first win since August
Melbourne Summer Set: Rafael Nadal claims first win since August Sports
Australia: Indian-origin truck driver gets 22-year jail for killing cops
Australia: Indian-origin truck driver gets 22-year jail for killing cops World
Novak Djokovic wins 2021 Australian Open: Records broken
Novak Djokovic wins 2021 Australian Open: Records broken Sports
Naomi Osaka beats Jennifer Brady to win the Australian Open
Naomi Osaka beats Jennifer Brady to win the Australian Open Sports
More News
Athletics
Commonwealth Games: India's Avinash Mukund wins silver in 3000m steeplechase
Commonwealth Games: India's Avinash Mukund wins silver in 3000m steeplechase Sports
CWG: Tejaswin Shankar claims India's first-ever medal in high jump
CWG: Tejaswin Shankar claims India's first-ever medal in high jump Sports
2022 Commonwealth Games: Here's India's schedule for July 30
2022 Commonwealth Games: Here's India's schedule for July 30 Sports
India's Neeraj Chopra ruled out of Commonwealth Games: Details here
India's Neeraj Chopra ruled out of Commonwealth Games: Details here Sports
Neeraj Chopra becomes second Indian to win World Championships medal
Neeraj Chopra becomes second Indian to win World Championships medal Sports
More News
Padma Shri
Gujarat riots: Meet Teesta Setalvad, the co-petitioner against PM Modi
Gujarat riots: Meet Teesta Setalvad, the co-petitioner against PM Modi India
Who is Swami Sivananda, the oldest Padma Shri recipient?
Who is Swami Sivananda, the oldest Padma Shri recipient? India
Ex-Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee refuses to accept Padma Bhushan
Ex-Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee refuses to accept Padma Bhushan India
Padma Awards 2022: CDS Bipin Rawat gets Padma Vibhushan
Padma Awards 2022: CDS Bipin Rawat gets Padma Vibhushan India
Padma Shri awardee Dogri writer Padma Sachdev passes away
Padma Shri awardee Dogri writer Padma Sachdev passes away Mumbai
More News
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love Sports news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

Sports Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022