Internet Desk: Golden girl of Indian gymnastics Dipa Karmakar returned home to a rousing reception. Dipa, who became the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for the Olympics at Rio was welcomed by thousands of fans who gathered at the Agartala airport.
Dipa accompanied by her coach Bisweswar Nandi arrived at Agartala from Delhi on Friday morning.They were received at the Agartala airport by the Director of Sports of the state, Dulal Das, Secretary of the Sports Council of Tripura, Dilip Chakraborty.
After a hectic schedule at Rio de Janeiro and a long journey back home, Dipa is now looking forward to stay with her parents for a week. Talking to media at the airport Dipa said, “One of my dreams has been fulfilled, but another dream is yet to be fulfilled — to win a medal in the Olympics.” She said, “My only target now is to win a medal at the Rio Olympics at any cost and the only way to achieve is hard work.”
Crediting her coach for the victory, Dipa said, “All credit goes to my coach Bisweswar sir, without whose guidance I would have failed.”
Dipa will start training from Monday at Badharghat stadium under coach Bisweswar Nandi. She has plans to increase her practice time. She is also planning to go abroad for training ,” I leave it to my coach to decide whether I will go for training abroad or not. I have done well training under my present coach and have no plans to train under any foreign coach”
Visibly cheerful, Dipa said she got cooperation from all corners of the country and the contribution of her coach was unparallel. She booked her Rio ticket after qualifying in artistic gymnastics following a total score of 52.698 points in the Test event. She also won the gold medal in vault final in the event.
Apart from being the first Indian woman, she also became first from the country to qualify for the quadrennial extravaganza after 52 long years.
Overwhelmed by the warm reception at the airport, the queen of Indian gymnastics reached her home at Abhoynagar where all her neighbours and relatives gathered to welcome her. Her mother and father were delighted that their child came back home after long time with plenty of honour and pride.