‘Produnova’ queen Dipa Karmakar has another ace up her sleeve

She became synonymous with the Produnova after her path-breaking show at the Rio Olympics but ace Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar may switch from the ‘vault of death’ to ‘Handspring 540’ at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

After the high of Rio Games, where she claimed a historic fourth place finish, the Tripura gymnast has not competed anywhere due to an Anterior Crucial Ligament (ACL) injury in her right knee.

She underwent a surgery in April and has already missed the Asian Championship. She will skip the upcoming World Championship in Canada too and return to action only at next year’s CWG in Australia. Karmakar, who celebrated her 24th birthday on Wednesday, revealed that work has begun to add a new vault to her skills.

“There is a Handspring 540 degree turn which could be there (at CWG). It’s a twist movement in the air. In the handspring front movement, it’s the most difficult vault but below Produnova,” said Karmakar in an interview.

Asked why such a change was considered since she is known as the ‘Produnova girl’, the diminutive gymnast said, “I just had an ACL tear so I don’t want to take pressure. My main target is 2020 Olympics. If I can perform this …read more