Dipa Karmakar created history on Sunday, becoming the first Indian gymnast to ever qualify for the Olympics. She booked a spot to contest in the Rio Olympic Games 2016, after putting up consistent performances over four apparatus at the Olympic qualification test event in Rio.
To qualify, the 22-year-old from Tripura needed to finish among the top 29. International referee Deepak Kagra had told PTI earlier that with a score of 52.698, Karmakar was “100% assured of an Olympic berth”.
Coach Bisweshwar Nandi had also explained that as her score was above those of participants from at least three of 33 countries, it is enough for her to qualify for the Rio Olympics, which begins on August 5.
Karmakar's score improved after the balance beam and uneven bars rounds, coupled with a commendable performance on the vault, her favourite apparatus. Karmakar had to step up her performance in the qualifiers, having failed to win a medal on the vault at the World Championships of 2015, The Indian Express reported.
She has been in the limelight since the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she made history by winning a bronze medal in the vault event. She is known in particular for being one of the few female gymnasts to consistently land the Produnova, one of the most dangerous vaults in the sport.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!