Dipa Karmakar became the first Indian woman and the second person from the country to clinch a historic Commonwealth Games medal in artistic gymnastics when she won the women's vault bronze at the SSE Hydro here on Thursday.
The 20-year-old from Tripura collected 14.366 points to finish third in the women's vault final at the SSE Hydro here. Ashish Kumar had won India's maiden gymnastics medals in CWG when he scalped the men's vault silver and men's floor bronze fours years ago in New Delhi. England's Claudia Fragapane won the gold with an average score of 14.633 while Canada's Elsabeth Black took home the silver with 14.433. (Also read: Babita Kumari Wrestles to Gold)
As soon as the good news spread through TV sets after her win Thursday night, people converged on Dipa's home at Abhoynagar, on the outskirts of the capital city here, with bouquets and sweets.
"We first came to know of the splendid news through television. Since evening our entire family was sitting in front of the TV set. We all erupted in joy when Dipa's name was announced that she got the bronze medal," Dipa's father Dulal Karmakar told IANS Friday.
"Our long cherished dream was fulfilled, as our daughter was rewarded in an international meet," said Dipa's mother Gauri Karmakar.
Congratulating Dipa and her coach, Tripura Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sahid Choudhury told IANS: "We are hopeful that Dipa would also get medals in the forthcoming Asian games in South Korea. We are ready to extend necessary support to her."
Dulal Karmakar, an SAI (Sports Authority of India) coach in weightlifting, said: "Now the Arjuna award is not far away for Dipa. She needs more technical and financial support to earn more skills in gymnastics to get new rewards and accolades."
"We are very happy with our daughter's performance. Her recognition was also because of her coach Bisweswar Nandi who has worked very hard for her, and Dipa had done a lot according to his coaching," said Karmakar.
