It is possible to beat USA or China in gymnastics: Dipa Karmakar

“I do not think myself successful as I have not got the medal. But it is true that Indians came to know more about gymnastics and I am happy that all people of our nation watched gymnastics on August 14," the first Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics said at a felicitation programme in Kolkata on Monday.

“USA has better facilities than India. Now the central government is taking the preparation for 2020 and 2024 Olympics, so I think it would be possible for us to beat USA and China even” the Olympian said spotting the difference in preparation between India and other countries.

The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry in association with Apollo Gleneagles, Kolkata on Monday felicitated  Dipa Karmakar and  her coach Bisweshwar Nandi, for her commendable performance in gymnastics at the Rio Olympics 2016.

The ceremony was addressed by Sutanu Ghosh, President of BCC&I along with Rupali Basu, President and CEO of Apollo Hospitals.

Dipa Karmakar attained the fourth position in women's vault gymnastics with an overall score of 15.066.

Speaking about the journey from home town Tripura to Rio, Dipa said: “I went to Rio in the month of April for the qualification test event so I got accustomed with its condition much before. Therefore it was not a big problem for me to adjust in Rio.”

“Moreover, in Rio I could only spend time at the gym or the dining hall or in transport, so didn't get a chance to enjoy that much out there” she added.

Nandi upholding his state Tripura as a gymnastics hub said: “Gymnastic started at Agartala in 1961-1962. Everyone staying in Tripura is aware about gymnastics now and also our government is showing a lot of interest in it and helping us. I hope we could deliver.”

(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh, Images by Souvik Das)