Triumphant Dipa targets Asiad now

Fresh from a historic bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, Gymnast Dipa Karmakar has now set her eyes on an Asian Games medal.

Dipa, who became the first Indian woman gymnast to get a CWG medal after standing third on the podium in the vault event, got a rousing welcome by the Sports Authority of India officials, members of the Indian Gymnastic Federation and aspiring young gymnasts at the Indira Gandhi International airport on Sunday.

“I am very happy with the fact that I could give India a medal in the Commonwealth Games. Being the first Indian woman to get a CWG medal is a great achievement and I am just thrilled. But now my next target is getting a medal in the Asian Games,” an elated Dipa told PTI.

“Getting a bronze is good and I am really happy but yes, I do feel that I missed a silver or a gold. I could have got them. I missed the silver by 0.1, but there is always a next time,” said the Agartala-born gymnast.

Dipa, 22, did not forget to thank her coach and mentor Biswasar Nandi. Dipa was six years old when Nandi took charge of her and the ward sure has done him proud.

While many gymnasts had criticised the lack of preparation and training camps ahead of the mega event, Dipa had no such grudges against the concerned authorities. “The preparation was good. SAI and the Gymnastics Federation put up a camp at the IG Stadium before we went for the Games and that really helped us,” she said.