Dipa Creates History in Time for Rio 2016

On 18th April, 22 year old Dipa Karmakar from Tripura created history in Rio, by becoming the first-ever Indian woman gymnast to qualify for an Olympics event and the first Indian gymnast to qualify for an Olympics event since 1964. A stupendous feat to say the least, the journey hasn’t been easy for Karmakar, who placed 5th in the World Artistic Championships (2015), but was denied a direct spot in the Olympics, as only the top three get that privilege.

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The presence of Indian women in Olympics is far and few, but has its own share of success stories. The first Indian woman to ever win an Olympic medal was Karnam Malleswari who won a bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics (2000) in the Women’s 69 kg category in Weightlifting. In the London Olympics (2012) Mary Kom won an Olympics Bronze. It was the first time women’s boxing was included in the Olympics. Saina Nehwal became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic Medal (Bronze) in Badminton in London Olympics (2012).

Apart from cricket, the story of Indian sports is wrought with bureaucracy, lack of facilities, and inadequate support. The state of Indian women in sports is even more dismal. In such a scenario, to see Karmakar’s victory, especially in a sport which is not popular in India, is a ray of bright hope, and is a story of great determination. We at CSR, will certainly be rooting for Dipa this August!


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