Dipa Karmakar might have finished fourth in women's vault gymnastics event at Rio Olympics on Sunday, but she won the hearts with her Produnova.
Ms. Karmakar became the household name after she qualified for the 2016 Olympics — the first Indian gymnast to achieve the feat. Expectations were running high that this Tripura woman would end India's drought for a medal at Rio, after she made it to the finals by finishing eighth.
She began trending in Google and across social media even before the actual event. When Dipa herself took to Twitter saying "Sorry to 1.3 billion people," it was retweeted several thousand times. Many replied to her how they stayed awake to watch the game and how it was "the very first time in life" they were watching the sport.
Sorry to 1.3 billions peoples i can't make it possible. But tried hard to do so. If possible forgive me!
— Dipa Karmakar (@idipakarmakar) >August 14, 2016
Wishes poured in from cross section of people including sports icons, politicians and celebrities.
We are all very proud of you >#DipaKarmakar .Billion Indians were glued to their TV sets today because of you. >#kudos>pic.twitter.com/L1Ny50Hhmu
— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) >August 14, 2016
we have never been so excited to not win, cos what a worthy player, what graceful play, and what a dignified exit. Well done >#dipakarmakar
— Gayatri Jayaraman (@Gayatri__J) >August 14, 2016
Its not about winning medals. Its about breaking through all stereotypes n proving u are there with the best, u inspire us all >#DipaKarmakar
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) >August 14, 2016
Frm a small state of Tripura n a young girl taking a 4th Plc in gymnastic at >#Rio2016 is to be praise at the highest >#DipaKarmakar
— Mary Kom (@MangteC) >August 14, 2016
With August 15 being the nation's 70th Independence Day, the reference to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's famous I-Day speech was obvious.
"At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India wakes up to the legend of #DipaKarmakar," several people tweeted.
A usually divisive Twitteratti stood together this time, thanks to Ms. Karmakar.
From left-liberal to internet-Hindu we all came together for Karmakar. Never forget.
— Salty Twat (@sidin) >August 14, 2016
Cricketer Virender Sehwag made the full use of 140 characters by wishing her as well as taking a dig at the lack of patronage to gymnastics in the country.
Thank u >#DipaKarmakar fr getting us united at midnight cheering fr Gymnastics,in a country with no infrastructure for this sport.Super Proud
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) >August 14, 2016
What's in a name? Lots
Caught unaware of the unusually spelt name, several tweets mentioned her as 'Deepa'. Actually the word 'Deepa' was briefly trending when Karmakar moved to the second place soon after finishing her vault. The hopes of a medal came down crashing when Maria Paseka of Russia and Biles performed after Karmakar.
Another goof-up was made by Sports Minister Vijay Goel, who incorrectly tweeted her name as 'Dipa Karmanakar' only to delete the tweet later.