Won’t rush Dipa Karmakar just for the sake of competing, asserts Bisweswar Nandi

Dipa Karmakar suffered a fall on landing when she went for the Rudi 540 vault in her first competitive attempt during the finals of the Baku World Cup in March. The Indian gymnast’s right knee wobbled as she fell backwards on uncertain feet. Karmakar did not risk attempting the second vault and also opted against participating in the World Cup in Doha.

In a recent interview with IANS, Karmakar’s coach Bisweswar Nandi revealed that he will not rush his protege’s rehabilitation just for the sake of participating in competitions.

"We are doing everything we can to get back competing as soon as we can.

"Let's not jump the gun and say she is missing the Olympics and all that. I won't rush her just for the sake of competing. She will get back when she feels she can perform to her best. Dipa will return to gymnastics, I can promise you that," Nandi told IANS over phone.

The Rio 2016 Olympian’s rehabilitation after a knee injury is taking longer than usual which will cause her to miss out from participating in the Asian Championships scheduled in Mongolia from June 13-16.

For gymnasts to seal an Olympics berth, the qualification system comprises eight World Cups. The top three performers across the eight World Cups makes the cut for the Olympics. Karmakar lost crucial ranking points as she sat out the World Cup in Doha.