New Delhi: Till a few days ago, Dipa Karmakar was hoping to make a comeback to competitive gymnastics during the Commonwealth Games in April. But she and her coach, Bishweshwar Nandi, discarded the idea after giving the issue a second thought.

"I could have participated in CWG but that would have been a bit of a risk. If everything goes well, then I should be back in the arena for the Asian Games in August," the star gymnast told The Telegraph on the sidelines on a function organised by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Dipa had last represented India in the Rio Olympics in 2016, where she finished fourth. Thereafter, she skipped a series of international meets because of a knee injury, prompting speculations whether she could be the same gymnast again.

"I would have participated in the CWG, but I did not want it to become my last meet. It is always better to be fully prepared when you decide to take on the best in the world," she said.

Nandi said he was happy with the way his ward was improving after undergoing the knee operation."Presently, Dipa has been training three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening. We will slowly increase the duration by May-June and she should be good enough to win a medal," said the coach.

Dipa said her biggest satisfaction was that she no more felt lonely in the Indian gymnastics circuit. "Gymnastics is considered a strong sport in India these days... People believe Indian gymnasts are capable of winning medals in the international arena."