Dipa arrives home to loud cheers, expectations

The first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for the Olympics, Dipa Karmakar, has returned home to loud cheers from thousand of fans, who thronged the Agartala airport here on her arrival.

Dipa and her coach, Bisweswar Nandi, who arrived from Delhi this morning, were received at the Agartala airport by the Director of Sports of the state, Dulal Das, Secretary of the Sports Council of Tripura, Dilip Chakraborty.

After a hectic schedule at Rio de Janeiro and a long journey back home, Dipa is now looking forward to stay with her parents for a week.

"Now I'll prepare myself to participate in the Olympic game and would put every effort to bring a medal for the country. I have come here to stay with my parents for about a week and have home maid food prepared by my mother," she told reporters.

Visibly cheerful, Dipa said she got cooperation from all corners of the country and the contribution of her coach was unparallel.

She booked her Rio ticket after qualifying in artistic gymnastics following a total score of 52.698 points in the Test event. She also won the gold medal in vault final in the event.

Apart from being the first Indian woman, she also became first from the country to qualify for the quadrennial extravaganza after 52 long years.

Since Independence, 11 Indian male gymnasts took part in the Olympics (two in 1952, three in 1956 and six in 1964).