Dipa Karmakar received a major psychological boost ahead of her campaign in the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro when she was named a “World Class Gymnast” by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). This recognition came as another unparalleled accomplishment for Dipa, who made news a few months ago as the first Indian woman make it to the Olympics.
Dipa, who is in the final stages of her preparation for the Olympics under the supervision of her coach Bisweshwar Nandi, received the official letter confirming the distinction of “Gymnaste de Classe Mondaile (world class gymnast)” from the FIG on Tuesday night.
The letter of distinction also carries a special badge, which the gymnast will be carrying during her medal quest during the biggest sporting spectacle on Earth in Rio.
The international body decided to honour her with the distinction following her fine performance in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which was held in Glasgow between October 24 and November 1, 2015. Dipa finished fifth in her pet vault event in Glasgow before bettering her performance in an event in Rio in April this year to ensure the Olympic berth.
The recognition, which gives credence to the 22-year-old gymnast’s hopes of winning the first gymnastics medal for the country in the quadrennial games, was received gleefully by Dipa.
“This is a great honour for me. It proves the efforts and hard work I have been putting over the years are in the right direction,” Dipa told Sportstar .
“This distinction will also raise expectations of my countrymen and I am looking to justify that in the big event,” she added.
These days Dipa is putting eight hours of training under Nandi at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi.
“This recognition comes at the right time and I am sure it will make her mentally strong and better her confidence before the Olympics,” Nandi said.
According to Nandi, the distinction and the prestigious badge will be handed over to Dipa at a special function in the next few days.
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