Dipa gets gold on return from injury break

New Delhi, July 8

India’s premier gymnast Dipa Karmakar today clinched a gold medal in the vault event of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup at Mersin, Turkey. Returning to action after an injury lay-off of nearly two years, the 24-year-old scored 14.150 points to win the top prize. Rifda Irfanaluthfi of Indonesia clinched the silver with 13.400 points, while local gymnast Goksu Uctas Sanli took the bronze with a score of 13.200.  

Dipa had suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury after the Rio Olympics, which needed a surgery. She was hopeful of making a comeback at the Commonwealth Games, but the rehabilitation took more time than expected, forcing her to skip the Gold Coast event. 

Patra finishes fourth

Rakesh Patra missed out on a medal in the men’s rings event as he finished fourth with a score of 13.650. Turkey’s Ibrahim Colak won the gold with a total score of 15.100, while Romanian Andrei Vasile (14.600) and Dutchman Yuri van Gelder (14.300) took silver and bronze, respectively.

World Challenge Cup series is an important competition in the calendar of the International Gymnastics Federation. There are six events in the World Challenge Cup series this year, and Turkey hosted the fourth leg of the season. Both Dipa and Patra have been included in the 10-member Indian gymnastics team for the Asian Games. 

“It’s historic! Dipa has become the first Indian gymnast to win a gold at a world-level event,” said Gymnastics Federation of India vice-president Riyaz Ahmed Bhati.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, applauded her on her feat. “India is proud of Dipa Karmakar! Congratulations to her on winning a well-deserved gold in the vault event at the FIG World Challenge Cup in Mersin, Turkey. This win is a prime example of her tenacity and never-say-die attitude,” tweeted Modi.  — Agencies