‘Onto the Next Chapter’: Dipa Karmakar Announces Retirement From Competitive Gymnastics

Prominent Indian Olympian and one of the country's most revered athletes, Dipa Karmakar, has announced her retirement from professional gymnastics competition. After dedicating 25 years into the sport of Gymnastics, the famed Indian athlete has decided to take a step back, as she states that it is the right time for her to do so.

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Indian Olympian Dipa Karmakar Announces Retirement from Competitive Gymnastics

Dipa Karmakar took to the social media platform ‘X’ [Formerly Twitter] to reveal her decision to bid adieu from competitive gymnastics as she calls time in her career. She expressed gratitude for all the moments in her life, be it the highs or the lows.  

“After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from competitive gymnastics. This is not an easy decision, but it feels like the right time. Gymnastics has been at the centre of my life for as long as I can remember, and I am grateful for every moment — the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

“When I look back, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride for everything I've achieved. Representing India on the world stage, winning medals, and most memorably, performing the Produnova vault at the Rio Olympics , will forever be cherished as the pinnacle of my career. These moments were not just victories for me; they were victories for every young girl in India who dared to dream, who believed that with hard work and determination, anything is possible,” Dipa Karmakar said in a statement.

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The Indian Gymnast also explained on how the the gold medal win at the Asian Gymnastics Championship in Tashkent was a turning point for her after she clinched gold despite the previous setbacks.

“But my last victory at the Asian Gymnastics Championship in Tashkent was a turning point. After that win, I truly believed I could push my body to reach new heights again. But sometimes, our bodies tell us it's time to rest, even when our hearts want to keep going," Karmakar added.

While concluding her statement, Dipa Karmakar revealed her desire to give back to the sport, saying that she is eager to take up a coaching or mentor's role to support the upstart athletes.