Dipa Karmakar, the girl who brought joy to an entire nation, got the chance of a lifetime to meet the legendary Romanian gymnast, Nadia Comaneci. (Dipa Karmakar meets the ‘God’ of Gymnastics)
Nadia Comaneci had become the first gymnast in history of the Olympics to score a perfect 10. She achieved this in the 1976 Montreal Games.
“She (Nadia) gave recognition to gymnastics across the globe, she had taken 10 out of 10 in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. For all of us in gymnastics, Nadia is God. And I got a chance to sit and talk to her.
She suggested that if I do certain changes in my Produnova vault, it will be better. She made good comments and I was overwhelmed to interact with her,” Dipa told reporters in Mumbai on Monday.
When asked about her personal objectives in the future she said Tokyo 2020 is a priority for her right now. (Dipa Karmakar meets the ‘God’ of Gymnastics)
“2020 Olympics. 2018 Asian Games is also there. My coach has made a roadmap for 2020 Games, but hasn’t discussed with me. But our main focus will be vault only. There is no need to go outside India as there are facilities available here.”
When asked about whether or not she will change her coach, she said that she is happy with Nandi and wants to continue with him.
“Yes, the same coach will remain, because he is with me for 16 years. He knows each and every step which I perform. I don’t think any foreign coach will be better than him. Indian coaches make us toil hard to raise the national flag. I am comfortable with him,” Dipa added. (Dipa Karmakar meets the ‘God’ of Gymnastics)
“Now (after Rio Olympics), people have started recognising Tripura. The facilities are improving not only in Tripura but in the whole county. More children are coming forward to take up gymnastics,” she said.
