Even the best of gymnasts hesitate in attempting the Produnova but not Dipa Karmakar. She says she will continue performing the Produnova despite the dangers that come with the daredevil act.
Karmakar, who was the first Indian gymast to qualify for 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 practise everything becomes easy, my coach made me practice.”
“Everything is risky, if you practise properly everything becomes easy. I made Dipa practice the vault a lot and thus the Produnova has become easy for her,” coach Bisweshwar Nandi added.
Recalling her experience at 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, Karmakar is extremely proud that she has 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 got to know about gymnastics in India.”
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 award 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.”
Here's what the most dangerous vault looks like
