Dipa Karmakar, who is on a comeback trail, said her inspiration was Russian gymnast Aliya Mustafina who won four medals at the 2012 London Olympics after being almost down and out with a career-threatening ACL tear.
“Look at Aliya Mustafina. She showed remarkable courage in winning a gold, a silver and two bronze medals in London. Who would have thought of that...,” said Dipa here on Saturday.
When everyone had started writing her off, Mustafina did not crumble and made a comeback at the Voronin Cup in December 2011. The Russian went on to lead the contingent in all four events at the London qualifiers before bagging four medals at the Olympics.
Much like Mustafina, Dipa also had torn the ACL during training earlier this year and underwent an operation. The diminutive Agartala girl looks to achieve what she missed narrowly at Rio 2016.
“I’m absolutely normal, why should I think about what happened due to surgery. It does not matter to me any more. It’s only about practice, practice and more practice,” said the ‘Produnova Girl.’
“I am doing my best in order to do better than before. My coach (Bishweshwar Nandi) has chalked out my recovery path and I am continuing my rehab with the physio. I am following Dr. Anant Joshi’s advice. The SAI has also extended great support,” she said.
Asked whether the injury was a setback, she said: “I am mentally stronger now and want to achieve something. I won’t call it pressure. I am lucky to have a coach like him [Nandi] who does not let outside pressure affect me.”
Dipa would join the national camp at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the capital next week. “My preparation has begun, I am slowly getting on to training, let’s see what happens next,” said the 24-year-old.
Asked whether the preparation time for the Commonwealth Games in April next year is less, she said: “I got three months’ time for the Olympics as well as the World Championships. I don’t know what will happen now.”
About her comeback plan, Dipa said, “Even Simone Biles is yet to start competing (after her Rio performance).”
