New Delhi: Experts may think it is the 'Vault of Death' but gymnast Dipa Karmakar doesn't agree and says she will continue performing the Produnova despite the dangers that come with the daredevil act.
Dipa, who was the first Indian gymnast to qualify for the Olympics, exceeded expectations by entering the vault finals in Rio before finishing fourth to miss the medal by a whisker.
"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 said 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," said coach Bisweshwar Nandi, who stood alongside her protege.
Recalling her experience in the finals, Dipa animatedly discussed how people cheered for her because of the Produnova. "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."
Asserting that nothing has changed in her life, Dipa is extremely proud that she brought gymnastics to limelight in India. "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 have got to know about gymnastics in India. It would have been nice had I won a medal, now I have to definitely do something in Tokyo."
Elated that she has been recommended for the Khel Ratna, the 23-year-old from Tripura would rather have her coach win the Dronacharya award. "My coach deserves the Dronacharya more than me (getting Khel Ratna)," she said.
Coach Nandi, who has been nominated for Dronacharya, was all praise for his pupil as well claiming he always knew Dipa would qualify for the finals. "I am satisfied with Dipa's performance, had we won a medal I would have felt better but I'm happy."
Comparing India with China, coach Nandi believes India has a bright future ahead in gymnastics. "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. (PTI)
