Dipa Karmakar backs Pranati Nayak to end India’s CWG gymnastics medal wait | More Sports News
KOLKATA: As Glasgow prepares itself to host the Commonwealth Games later this week, one person who can’t help but feel a little nostalgic is an artistic gymnast. Deepa Karmakar. She won bronze in the women’s vault when the event was held in the Scottish city in 2014 – her first international medal.It marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that ended in 2024 when he retired after winning gold at the Asian Championships.After moving into coaching, Dipa remains deeply connected to the sport and will be glued to the screens when the competition starts on Thursday. He will also be rooting for Pranati Nayak, who he believes has a great chance of finishing on the podium this season.“We have been together in the last two national camps. I was with the junior team in the Asian Championships in China, while he competed with Olympic and World Championship medalists,” Dipa said during an interaction sponsored by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).“He performed well and reached the final. I hope he has upgraded one of his vaults, and if he executes well on both vaults, I think he has a very good chance to win a medal.”That said, it should also be noted that the veteran gymnast has struggled with injuries, especially after injuring her ankle at last year’s World Championships.“I myself have undergone two ACL surgeries, so I know how difficult it is to come back. But I hope he comes back stronger. The Commonwealth Games only come once every four years, so this is a great opportunity,” added Dipa.Apart from Pranati, India has many other gymnasts in action, including some who are making their Commonwealth Games debut. While Dipa believes the event is a great opportunity for them, she is already looking ahead to the next Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Ahmedabad in 2030.“I competed in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and I know what it means to host such an event,” said Dipa. “This time, I wish India the best Commonwealth Games ever. We have four years to prepare, and if everyone continues to work hard, I believe we can win more medals.”He also hopes that India will get a chance to host the 2036 Olympics, which he believes will transform the country’s sports ecosystem.“This is a huge achievement, not only for the athletes but for Indian sports as a whole,” said the Rio Olympian. “Hosting the Olympics means better infrastructure, foreign coaches, exposure trips, improved facilities and more investment in sport.”The ‘Produnova Girl’, as she is popularly known, is delighted with the progress that Indian gymnastics has made in the last decade. But once the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are over, he wants the current crop of gymnasts to turn their attention to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. (Watch Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games live and exclusively on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV)
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