Dipa Karmakar: I want to inspire the next generation

Dipa Karmakar came close to clinching a medal at Rio after she finished fourth, 0.15 points away from a bronze medal in the women’s vault final. But, the 23-year-old’s sensational performance at Rio has made her an overnight sensation in the country. Speaking to Reuters after her heroics at Rio, Dipa said that she hopes to inspire the next generation of Indian gymnasts.

"Up until three months ago, I was using out-of-date equipment. Even now we still do not have the Olympic standard balance beam and uneven bars in India," the Agartala native explained.

Speaking about performing the Produnova, also known as the “vault of death”, Karmarkar joked, "The one thing I do know is that everyone now knows the Produnova vault. I have probably made it more famous than Elena Produnova ever did!"

When asked whether she would go on to invent a vault of her own, Dipa said, "Every gymnast wants to invent a skill that will bear their name so that they leave behind a lasting legacy. I too have that dream.”

"There has been a lot of sadness and pain over the last four days. If I had won a medal, then I would have been in a rush to go back (and show it to everyone). But on the flip side I am thinking, if I won a medal at my first Olympics, I would have lost the drive to improve even more. My goal is that I can take a medal back for India at the next Olympics. I will try my hardest to achieve that," said the 23-year-old.