Since somersaulting to glory and ensuring her return journey to Rio de Janeiro by becoming the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for this year’s Olympics, Dipa Karmakar’s life has undergone a massive transformation in less than a week.
A hectic schedule and a spate of media requests for interviews may not usually be part of Dipa’s lifestyle but she maintains her composure to handle it with ease. She knows how to maintain her balance and that is what has helped her achieve new highs.
“It is normal to have media attention (when someone achieves something). People know sportspersons because of the media and we need to speak to you. There is nothing to learn (about handling media). You ask your questions, we answer them,” Dipa told The Hindu after landing here from Rio on Thursday.
Even as the two Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) factions sensed an opportunity and jostled to be in the limelight, Dipa was least interested in it.
The 22-year-old, the first Indian to make it to the Olympics after 1964, was aware of the mounting expectations but refused to crumble under its weight.
No pressure“I do not feel any pressure. I am just trying to give my best (in the Olympics).”
Dipa, who has proved her worth by bagging bronze medals in vault in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2015 Asian championship and by finishing fifth in the World championship, is looking to fine-tune her skills further. “Now I will focus on the execution part.”
