Defying Gravity: The Story of Dipa Karmakar

In a country teeming with 1.4 billion individuals, standing out requires something astonishing, especially if you hail from a lesser privileged background, from a state on the outskirts of the country. Dipa Karmakar's response to this challenge was to defy gravity in a way that no Indian had done before and very few across the globe had achieved. 

Dipa Karmakar, barely 4'10" from Agartala, Tripura, grabbed India's attention when she finished fourth in the women's individual vault event at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She performed a daring stunt known as the Produnova -- a front flip somersault leading into two more somersaults, a feat so dangerous it's termed as 'the vault of death'. Simone Biles, one of the world's most renowned gymnasts, once commented about the stunt, "I'm not trying to die." However, when posed the same question, Dipa responded, "The vault is very dangerous. I say, 'Thank you, I like risk'".

"I like risk" seems to encapsulate Dipa's mindset. She understood that risk often leads to reward, was excited to demonstrate her capabilities to the world, and believed that consistent practice negated the risk. She demonstrated incredible commitment through her rigorous training.

Raised by a weightlifter-turned-coach father, Dipa developed a powerful base and an affinity for gymnastics from an early age. She trained tirelessly under her coaches, thus striking them with her relentless dedication. Despite being born with flat feet, she trained to form the curve necessary for performing gymnastics at a high level. She would persist until she had perfected her exercise, regardless of how long it took. Her dedication to practice and her undying energy were the traits that distinguished her in the eyes of her coaches.