CWG 2018 | Pranati Nayak aiming to emulate her inspiration Dipa Karmakar

03/30/2018

Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak is looking to fill the void created by star Dipa Karmakar who could not get fit in time for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. Pranati also stated that she is not thinking as far as winning a medal as her first aim would be to qualify for the finals.

Dipa Karmakar’s performance was one of the highlights in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her outstanding display had brought accolades from all over the country, although she missed out on an Olympic medal by a whisker as she finished fourth. However, while an Olympics medal still evade her, she is quite acquainted with success in Commonwealth Games after she had won a historic bronze medal in its 2014 edition.

Her heroics have pretty much ensured one of India’s main focus be on the Indian gymnasts in the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak has revealed that Dipa has been an inspiration and she has been eyeing to emulate the former CWG bronze medallist. Pranati, who will be turning 23 on the day of the prelims, would be hoping for a special birthday.

“I've been training with her for a long time. The way she puts in hard work is really inspiring. Who does not wish to be like Dipa didi? I hope my birthday turns out to be special,” Pranati Nayak said, as reported by TOI.

Pranati, who is a part of three-member women's gymnastics contingent, also said that the focus was on securing a place in the final.

“Canada, Belgium will be our strong opponents. I've been seeing videos that are available on YouTube. First aim will be to secure a place in the final. I'm not thinking too far of winning a medal right now,” she revealed.

Pranati left home as an eight-year-old and recollected her childhood days, stating how grateful she has been to her coach for helping her out in tough times.

“I was too small to be allotted a hostel. My father and mother used to come and stay with me in rotation, leaving my little sister at home... For weeks we slept on the floor at the Saltlake Stadium. I got a hostel on the insistence of my coach Minara madam. Whatever I'm now it's because of Minara madam,” Pranati recalled.

She won three silver and one bronze medal in the 2015 National Games, which was held in Kerala. She also recalled her fathers’ words which has always kept her motivated.

“I got about Rs 12 lakh in rewards and gave the money to my father to build a house... He broke down in tears, and cried like a kid! He told me 'I don't have any regret of not having a son now. My three daughters are like my three pillars'. Those were the words of confidence that kept me going,” Pranati said.

CWG 2018 | Pranati Nayak aiming to emulate her inspiration Dipa Karmakar

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