Photography: Tamanna Satsangi Concept & Styling: Sonam Oberoi Location: Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort, Greater Noida
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You were not able to compete at the Commonwealth Games 2018 due to the ACL injury that you suffered last year. What tips would you like to provide to beginners to better cope with such an injury & return back to competition when fully recovered?
Ms. Dipa Karmakar:
The one tip I would mention here is to always be patient. When you are a competitor, it is a terrible feeling to watch from the sidelines as you want to be out in the middle competing. But in order to compete at a level that you feel you can, you must take your recovery process very seriously, and nothing should distract your rehabilitation process. The problem with youngsters is that they get too impatient and jump into training as soon as some of the pain subsides and that is very harmful in the long-run.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
In April 2016, you became the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify on for the Olympics and the first gymnast of either sex from her country to grace the Games since Tokyo 1964. For your commendable performance in Rio Olympics 2016, the Government of India conferred upon you the Khel Ratna award in August 2016. Having performed so well throughout your career, who were your role models, inspiration, and motivator in your career as an athlete?
Ms. Dipa Karmakar:
My biggest motivator is my coach who has not only been my biggest branch of support throughout my career but also stayed patient as coaching is very demanding and an athlete’s life is filled with ups and downs. India needs more coaches of his calibre and I am very fortunate to have had a mentor like Nandi sir during the entire duration of my career thus far.
My biggest inspiration and my motivator is my coach, always helping me push my boundaries and helping me aim for more .
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Share with us how is your preparation for the Asian Games presently progressing?
Ms. Dipa Karmakar:
Last year was a slow year as a lot of time went in the recovery process and thus, preparation for the Asian Games commenced a little later than we had planned. But speaking now, I am confident about my preparations thus far and I have full confidence that I will be able to do well in Jakarta. I just gave my comeback performance, after the Rio Olympics, at the Asian Games trials, because I had to take a break due to my surgery. I have been able to make this comeback with the support of Nandi Sir, Sajad Sir, Sports Authority of India, GoSports Foundation, Dr. Anant Joshi, and Meraki. With their support I am going to perform one and a half years after my surgery. Please pray for me that I am able to perform well in the competition.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Women Fitness works with a goal to reach out to women all over the world providing them with best in health, fitness, nutrition, beauty & fashion. What do you wish to say about the website (Womenfitness.org) and a message for our visitors?
Ms. Dipa Karmakar:
I would like to continue encouraging your team as spreading awareness on health and fitness is critically important owing to changing lifestyles. Hoping that your portal continues to tell the stories of various athletes and fitness professionals.
Follow Dipa’s journey here:
- https://twitter.com/dipakarmakar
- https://www.facebook.com/Dipakarmakarforindia
- https://www.instagram.com/dipakarmakarofficial/
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
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