Produnova dangerous, but I am up for it: Dipa Karmakar

Tennis star Sania Mirza along with Bollywood actor Salman Khan and music composer A.R. Rahman, both goodwill ambassadors of the Indian contigent for the Rio Olympics, at a send-off ceremony in New Delhi on Monday. (Photo: Biplab Banerjee)

Her mastery in the Produnova vault (two and-a-half somersaults before landing) is what sets Dipa Karmakar apart from the rest not only in the country but in the world.

She is among the five gymnasts across the globe who have successfully executed the Produnova. Despite knowing the risks surrounding the vault (a bad landing might result a major injury or even death), Dipa is pushing herself to be perfect in the move.

After achieving the highest score on a Produnova in the world: 15.300, which is 7.000 for difficulty, and 8.300 for execution, the 22-year-old from Tripura is aiming to get 15.67 points which would give her a realistic chance of a medal at the Rio Olympics.

“I know the Produnova vault is dangerous. But I have been doing it for the last two years. You have to take a little risk to achieve something,” Dipa told this paper on Monday.

“Since 2014, I have been training for the Olympics. I am aiming to improve by .34 points. At Rio, my aim will be to reach the finals first,” said Dipa, who would compete in four events at Rio, with vaulting table being her main event.

Dipa became the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for the Games with a stellar performance (52.698 points in artistic gymnastics) at the final qualifying and test event for Rio.

Meanwhile, Dipa’s long-time coach B.S. Nandi was hopeful of a medal from his ward.

“If she reaches the finals then she can win a medal,” he said.

“Gymnasts from the US, Russia, Switzer-land, North America will be tough competitors. But we have high hopes from her,” the coach added, pointing out that his ward was already getting 15.34 in trainings which is a good score.

Dipa, who has won 77 medals including 67 golds since 2007, is the first Indian woman to get a Commonwealth Games medal (bronze) in Glasgow, before making the finals of World Artistic Gymnastics Champi-onships held at the same venue.

Yogeshwar skips send-off A glittering ceremony marked the day as 20 Rio-bound athletes were given a send-off which was attended by Games goodwill ambassadors Salman Khan and music composer A.R. Rahman.

While most athletes were happy posing with Salman, ace wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt chose to skip the event. Yogeshwar had criticised Salman’s appointment as goodwill ambassador, questioning the actor’s contribution in the field of sport.

Wishing the athletes all the best Salman said: “Go out and give your best shot and leave the rest on the Almighty.”