Dipa Karmakar interview: ‘Those who called me a buffalo trying gymnastics had to receive me at the airport with bouquets after medal’

Excerpts:

Q. Why did you decide to retire?

Dipa Karmakar: I feel extremely emotional because it’s been 25 years of my life. It’s gone now. But I obviously understand everything has to end. Especially in a sport like mine, when the body doesn’t allow it. After double surgeries, in an event like vaulting, it is extremely difficult to continue if the body isn’t supporting. After I won the Asian Championships gold, I knew the time was right.

Do you recall the first and last time you did the Produnova?

I don’t really remember when I did the Produnova for the first time. But I clearly remember I tried the vault the very last time in 2019.

What were the top moments of your career?

The 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze was very important. If there had been no medal in Glasgow, no result to show, then, gymnastics would have ended for Indian women. It was a boost for all gymnastics back then. Of course, Rio 2016 was life-changing. And the last Asian Championships gold was memorable especially because I had hit rock bottom before that. I had to hear so many times and on an almost daily basis. ‘Dipa is old now, she’s finished, she should leave the sport.’ People would just pass comments and walk away. But I would think, ‘Just you wait, I will show you how good Dipa is.’ So winning gold after listening to those ignorant taunts was satisfying.

Aakar Gymnastics traning center Devrung-Bapgaon Kalyan-padha road Express photo BY Deepak joshi (shivani story)

Did you actually say that to people?

No I have never liked to respond to taunts and trolling, with words. I let people talk. And then I always ensure my results shut people up.

What do you recall of successfully sticking a landing on the first Produnova in competition?

I remember every moment of sticking a landing on the Produnova in competition. And all the training. Not every thing is pleasant and good, especially when a coach is trying to get a difficult routine out of a student. But what I remember most was, another gymnast and coach, standing there in our early training days, and saying loudly, “Dekho, ek bhains khadaa hai, bhains (routine) karte karte giir gayaa” (Look, the buffalo is standing. And now she has fallen from the routine.) I cried a lot hearing that at 18. But then coach said, we will not say anything. After I successfully stuck the Produnova landing at Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the same gymnast-coach came to the airport to receive me, with flowers and bouquet.

Weren’t you scared of taking up the Produnova?

There was no fear. I’m not someone who gets scared easily. In my mind I know, no matter what, I have to win a medal. I will always miss the Produnova, it’s my most favourite element.

What was support from your family like?

My father was very supportive being a weightlifting coach himself. My mother is the strongest person I know, if I couldn’t get an element right even after trying hard, she would calmly say, ‘No problem. You will get it right.’ She had full confidence in me. My sister is more like a friend, we do masti, we scream at each other, we fight. I used to beat her up. My coach BS Nandy was very important in my life. The spine of my life. Like people say, a pillar of strength. He taught me how to be good sport, without complaining. We worked step by step. He always told me, ‘We have to get a routine perfect. And that I can do anything.’ If he had asked me to jump from first floor, I would have jumped. I trusted him.

What was the most challenging phase of your career?

I’ve never got anything easy in life. A lot has been written about my trouble when not being sent to 2022 Asian Games. I qualified at No 1 spot in official trials. But despite that, they randomly changed the criteria which we had successfully followed for 10-12 years. I’m also a human, and not being allowed to compete despite topping trials, broke me badly. That was the toughest.
But after 6 months, I went to Asian Championships and brought home the gold medal, beating the silver medallist from Asiad. I knew I was good contender for Asian Games, I was ready, but they didn’t let me go. It will hurt always.

Did it bother you that you didn’t know the reason?

I was fighting for myself. I spoke my mind. You press people wrote a lot. I was ready to give trials again, and fulfill any criteria because I knew I had a good medal chance. Was feeling good about my routines. I did speak up. Now I just feel, I don’t want juniors to go through this randomness. Good performances should be rewarded. Good athletes should be given a chance.

Do you think India wasted your legacy?

You are referring to no one qualifying for the Paris Olympics? I won’t agree that my legacy was wasted. After me, we had gymnasts go via ranking to Tokyo Olympics. We obviously need to work harder to qualify for Olympics through World Championships, which is much tougher and truly elite. Almost 105-115 countries come to those events, and that is the real test. But if you have a juniors systematic program and camps and you give them adequate international exposure, I’m sure we will have a few qualify for Los Angeles.

What can change in Indian gymnastics to ensure the momentum is carried forward?

We need good, professional coaches who have been gymnasts themselves and understand the sport. Not just officials with bookish knowledge of rules, who are of no use.

Is there something you won’t miss about gymnastics – the scoldings, the strict diet?

As an athlete, I liked getting scolded. It improved me. But yeah, I’m a foodie, I really like food. So I now plan to eat ice cream without feeling bad. Every flavour possible.

Aakar Gymnastics traning center Devrung-Bapgaon Kalyan-padha road Express photo BY Deepak joshi (shivani story)

What were the lowest lows?

After the double surgery on my knee, I got serious doubts. I would think I have to get an element right but get paralysed thinking if I would actually be able to. The fear kicked in after injuries, I suppose. But I had a teammate who explained to me that this is what I do best, there’s no way I’m going to forget being good at gymnastics. When your peers, who understand nuances of the sport say that, it’s easy to drown negative voices, the noise. But yes, there was a tournament in Hungary where I didn’t even make the (8-person) final. And I thought I should quit. But I didn’t.

What are your future plans?

I’m a deputy director of coaching in Tripura. And I will help every gymnast who approaches me and share my experience so that they can achieve what I didn’t – winning an Olympic medal.

What is a really tough day in Gymnastics like? Also what thoughts go through the mind when performing the Produnova?

People start so early in this sport. The hard work is constant and you have to stay alert in practice. Even when I was injured, I was always in training – gym, fitness, watching videos, strengthening. Everything is about the feel in this sport, and I remember every thought when performing the Produnova. You can’t empty the thoughts. The technique has to be on point, off the board, on the block.