Dipa Karmakar : I don't think Produnova is a death vault

08/21/2016

After her heroics at the Rio Olympics, Dipa Karmakar has become an overnight sensation in the country along with the Produnova vault, which is also known as the vault of death. But, the 23-year-old believes that she has mastered the vault with practice and does not consider it to be a death vault.

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 and her Produnova vault famous all over the country. However, the routine is likely to be devalued more than most vaults when the international governing body of gymnastics rewrites the scoring system next year in a bid to discourage gymnasts from attempting the dangerous routine. But, Dipa believes that she has mastered the vault after practicing it for years.

I will continue doing the Produnova, not thinking of any other vault at the moment. I don't think it's a death vault."

Dipa Karmakar

"I will continue doing the Produnova, not thinking of any other vault at the moment. I don't think it's a death vault, if we practice everything becomes easy, my coach made me practice," Dipa told PTI on Saturday after returning home to a rousing reception.

"Everything is risky, if you practice properly everything becomes easy. I made Dipa practice the vault a lot and thus the Produnova has become easy for her," coach Bisweshwar Nandi, who stood alongside her protégé, added.

Speaking about her experience at the final, Dipa said that people cheered for her by calling her as the ‘Produnova Girl'.

"I became famous for my vault in the Olympics some called me 'Produnova Girl' others called me 'Dipa Produnova', a lot of people were cheering for me in the finals. I felt I made the right decision by choosing this vault,” said the Agartala lass.

Also, read: Dipa Karmakar | On Independence day India wakes up to a sport named gymnastics

After the performance at the Olympics, Dipa has become a star in the country and is also recommended for the prestigious Khel Ratna Award. But, Dipa asserts that nothing has changed in her life.

"My life is still the same, I am still a gymnast, I still want to win a medal. But yes, I feel nice that because of me people got to know about gymnastic in India,” said the 23-year-old.

My coach deserves the Dronacharya award more than me (getting Khel Ratna)."

Dipa Karmakar

The star gymnast also believes that her coach Bisweshwar Nandi deserves the Dronacharya Award.

"My coach deserves the Dronacharya award more than me (getting Khel Ratna)," she said.

Also, read: Dipa Karmakar | The girl who climbed many a mountain to reach the sky

Bisweshwar Nandi, who has been nominated for the Dronacharya Award, was all praise for his ward and said that by 2020 Tokyo Olympics, India will have 3 or more gymnasts who can compete at the international level.

"I am satisfied with Dipa's performance, had we won a medal I would have felt better but I'm happy,” said Nandi.

"Seeing Dipa, others will also get inspired and by 2020 we will have at least 2-3 more girls participating in gymnastics. We have a long way to go," he said.

"China started before us, in 2008 they won 8 medals. But this time out of the entire team, only one qualified for the finals. We have participated for the 1st time and were very close to a medal," he added.

Also, read : Unlike Dipa Karmakar, these Indian athletes have let themselves down

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