There is an unprecedented level of jubilation in India right now about the feats of Dipa Karmakar, who has created history by becoming the first gymnast from the country to qualify for the finals of any event at the Olympics. However, the actual hero herself has no idea of the level of enthusiasm she has inspired. She is currently under ‘house arrest’ at the Olympics Village, and is allowed to talk to a total of four people.
The 22-year-old Tripura girl has been walled off from the world in preparation for the big day on August 14, said her coach Bishweshwar Nandi, who is one of the four people who are the only ones allowed to be near her. Apart from Nandi, who has been a constant companion for Dipa for the last 16 years, the only ones with this privilege are her parents and roommate Mirabai Chanu, who represented India in the 48 kg weightlifting category.
"I've removed the SIM card from her mobile. Only parents are allowed to talk to her. I don't want her to lose focus," Nandi said from the Games Village. Dipa’s birthday is on Tuesday, and an entire nation of a billion people want to wish her their best, but only four privileged wishes shall reach her.
Nandi said, "Her birthday celebration can wait for the moment. It's only her parents who are allowed to talk to her at the moment during the small breaks I give her."
"But she does not miss it. She likes to stay aloof from friends, her friends circle is very small, thanks to her tough regimen in gymnastics."
Clearly, the level of dedication to her craft shown by Dipa Karmakar can only be shown by a rare breed of athletes. Dipa is used to putting the execution of her routines at a much higher importance than how their execution would affect the audience or the fan.
The greatest Independence Day gift ever
Apart from her historic achievement, another aspect which has fired the imagination of the nation about Dipa is the Produnova vault, the highly dangerous vault which only five people have managed to do in history, which Dipa has made it her specialty. The Produnova vault, which has the highest difficulty rating of all the vault routines (7), will again be on display in the Vault final, and a neat execution of it could very well place her in the medal spots.
Nandi, however, points to the fact that all routines in gymnastics are dangerous and can lead to horrible injuries. "Every event in gymnastics is a risk, accident may happen anytime but Dipa has mastered the Produnova and we're very hopeful."
"By the time she will finish, it will be August 15 in India -- a time difference of 8 hours and 30 minutes -- and a medal in gymnastics can be the greatest Independence Day gift to the nation. We can have her birthday celebration then," Nandi concluded.
Incidentally, no gymnast who has successfully performed the Produnova has won an individual Olympic gold. Oksana Chusovitina, who shared a team gold in the 1992 Olympics, will be the only other competitor for Dipa Karmakar on Sunday who will execute the Produnova.
