The Gymnast Deepa Karmakar, made an emotional social media post as "Signing off from the mat" after she announced her retirement. Deepa was known for attempting Produnova Vault in 2016 Rio Olympics came close to a medal with just 0.15 of points from winning one. She was also the first-ever Indian to win a place in the medal round in vault in the Olympics finishing fourth behind Simone Biles, Maria Paseka, and Giulia Steingrubber. Deepa soon did history by becoming the first Indian gymnast to win a gold medal in the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup of 2018.
"After much deliberation, I have taken the decision to retire from Gymnastics. It wasn't an easy decision for me, but it is the right time. Gymnastics was a very big part of my life, and I am grateful for each moment — the highs, the lows, and everything in between,, "Dipa wrote in a social media post.
"I remember being told that she was not going to be a gymnast because of flat feet. Today, I really feel proud to see my achievement. To have represented India at the world stage, to have won medals, and most special, performing the Produnova Vault in the Rio Olympics, have all been memorable. Today, I am really glad to see Dipa because she dared to dream," she added.
Dipa, one of the five women in the world who have successfully landed the Produnova-one of the most difficult vaults currently in use for women's gymnastics.
Earlier this year, Deepa made history as she claimed the gold at the Asian Senior Championships held in Tashkent. In doing this, Deepa became the first Indian gymnast to achieve such a feat.
"My last victory Asian Gymnastics Championship Tashkent, was a turning point, because then I felt that I could push my body further but sometimes our body tells us that it's the time to rest but heart is still not even today, said the post.
She thanked her coaches Bishweshwar Nandi and Soma for shaping her career in the sport.
"I would like to thank my coaches Bishweshwar Nandi sir and Soma ma'am, who have guided me for the last 25 years and have been my biggest strength. For the support I have received, I would like to express my gratitude to the Tripura government, Gymnastics Federation of India, Sports Authority of India, GoSports Foundation, and Meraki Sport and Entertainment. And finally, to my family, who has always been with me, through my good and bad days," Dipa wrote.
"I wrote that I am retiring, but my connection with gymnastics will never be lost. I would like to bring this sport back to life by providing safe mentors, coaches, and support to other girls like me.
"Thank you, everybody, once again, for being a part of my journey," Dipa concluded.
Further, she clinched the bronze medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games by emerging as the first Indian woman to do so in the Games and the second Indian after Ashish Kumar to win a medal in CWG.
She was given the Arjuna Award in 2015 and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2016. She also received the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, in 2017.
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