NEW DELHI: Indian star gymnast Dipa Karmakar announced her retirement from gymnastics at the age of 31 on Monday, sharing the news on social media platform X.
“After a lot of thought, I have decided to retire from gymnastics. This decision was not easy for me, but this is the right time. Gymnastics has been a huge part of my life, and I am grateful for every moment — the highs, the lows, and everything in between,” she wrote.
Karmakar reflected on her early struggles, remembering how, as a five-year-old with flat feet, she was told she could never become a gymnast.Defying the odds, she went on to represent India on the world stage, achieving numerous accolades. “I feel immense pride when I look at my achievements. Representing India and winning medals, and most special of all, performing the Produnova Vault at the Rio Olympics, has been the most memorable moment of my career,” she said. “Today, I feel so happy when I look at that Dipa, who had the courage to dream.”
Her last victory at the 2022 Asian Gymnastics Championship in Tashkent marked a turning point. She admitted that, despite her desire to push her body further, it became clear that it was time to rest.
Karmakar also expressed her gratitude toward her coaches, Bishweshwar Nandi and Soma Nandi, for guiding her for the past 25 years. She thanked the Tripura government, the Gymnastics Federation, the Sports Authority of India, and her family for their unwavering support.
Dipa Karmakar is the first female gymnast from India to compete at the Olympics, where she finished fourth in the vault event at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
She is one of only five women to have successfully landed the Produnova Vault, considered one of the most difficult in gymnastics. Throughout her career, Karmakar has won bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Asian Championships, and made history by becoming the first Indian gymnast to win a gold medal at a global event at the FIG World Challenge Cup in 2018.
She is also a recipient of the Padma Shri and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awards.