Tashkent: Dipa Karmakar made history on Sunday by winning the gold medal in the vault event at the Asian Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent, becoming the first Indian gymnast to achieve this feat.
The 30-year-old gymnast, who was eighth in the qualification round with a score of 12.650, excelled in the final by scoring an identical 13.566 in both her attempts, resulting in an overall score of 13.566. She outperformed North Korean gymnasts Kim Son Hyang, who scored 13.466 after a 0.100 penalty, and Jo Kyong Byol, who scored 12.966.
This victory marks Karmakar’s second medal in the Asian Championships, having previously won a bronze in 2015 in Hiroshima with a score of 14.725. Other Indian gymnasts who have medaled at the Asian Championships include Ashish Kumar, who won bronze in the floor exercise in Surat in 2006, and Pranati Nayak, who secured bronze medals in the vault in Ulaanbaatar in 2019 and Doha in 2022.
Karmakar’s triumph is especially noteworthy given her struggles with injuries, including two knee surgeries, and a 21-month suspension for a doping violation. Despite missing key opportunities to qualify for the Paris Olympics due to her suspension and a strategic decision not to send the team to one of the four Apparatus World Cups, this gold medal offers a significant consolation.
“I can’t say how happy I am. This performance has come after surgeries and suspension. No other [Indian] gymnast has done this. So, this medal is really special,” Karmakar told Sportstar. She expressed deep gratitude to her coach, Bishweshwar Nandi, who has supported her through challenging times.
Karmakar, who narrowly missed out on a medal by finishing fourth in the vault final at the 2016 Rio Olympics, reflected on her journey, stating, “Of course, not being able to qualify for the Olympics was disappointing. But now I want to enjoy this moment.”
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Coach Nandi acknowledged the slim chances of Olympic qualification through the Asian Championships, where only one slot was available for the best all-around performer, which was taken by third-placed Filipino Emma Malabuyo. Karmakar finished 16th in the all-around qualification and 14th in the final.
“Dipa overcame odds to achieve this. She is heading towards the end of her career. I will speak to her father and see whether she will continue,” Nandi remarked.
Indian Medalists at Asian Championships
- 2006, Surat: Ashish Kumar – Bronze in individual floor exercise final
- 2015, Hiroshima: Dipa Karmakar – Bronze in vault individual final
- 2019, Ulaanbaatar: Pranati Nayak – Bronze in vault individual final
- 2022, Doha: Pranati Nayak – Bronze in vault individual final
- 2024, Tashkent: Dipa Karmakar – Gold in vault individual final
