Dipa Karmakar announces retirement from Gymnastics, pens emotional post on Social Media

Add as a preferred source on Google

Dipa Karmakar has announced her retirement from Gymnastics on Monday (October 7) after dedicating 25 years to the sport, acknowledging the toll it has taken on her body.

She expressed her gratitude for the journey, highlighting the mix of triumphs and challenges that have shaped her career.

"After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from competitive gymnastics. This was not an easy decision for me, 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 - highs, the lows, and everything in between," Dipa wrote on her Instagra profile.

Karmakar's journey in gymnastics is adorned with significant achievements, under the mentorship of coaches Soma Nandi and Bishweshwar Nandi. Her career took a historic turn at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, where she clinched a bronze in the vault event, marking her as the first Indian woman gymnast to achieve this feat. Her success continued with another bronze at the 2015 Asian Championships, showcasing her growing prominence on the international stage.

Her most notable moment came during the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she was the first Indian female gymnast to compete in the vault finals, finishing an impressive fourth. Karmakar also joined an elite group of gymnasts by successfully performing the 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 on Instagram read.

Despite facing injuries and undergoing surgeries, Karmakar battled through adversity to secure a gold medal at the 2018 Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Turkey, becoming the first Indian gymnast to win gold at such an event. She continued to demonstrate her resilience and skill by winning a bronze at the World Cup in Cottbus the same year.

Karmakar's persistence was again rewarded in 2021 when she won gold at the Asian Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent, a victory she hoped would mark a revival in her career. However, the physical demands of the sport led her to 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."

Throughout her career, Karmakar has been honored with prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri, the Arjuna Award, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sports honor. Her achievements also earned her a spot in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list of Super Achievers.

"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. Once again, thank you, everyone, for being a part of my journey," her post concluded.