Dipa Karmakar to receive Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
FollowIndia's new gymnastic sensation Dipa Karmakar has been recommended for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
Dipa is set to receive the award at the end of Rio Olympics 2016 from President Pranab Mukherjee on National Sports Day (August 29).
Dipa created history after she became the first Indian gymnast to qualify for the vault finals at Rio 2016. While India was sure she would bring home a medal with her deadly ‘death’ vault, she finished fourth after a not-so-perfect landing. However, her daredevil act has earned the respect and recognition of the entire nation at a mere age of 23.
The Tripura girl competed against the likes of America's gravity-defying Simone Biles, the eventual Gold medal winner of the vault. She held her nerves acquiring 15.266 points when she pulled off the Produnova in front of an astonished crowd at the Rio Olympic Arena.
On missing the bronze medal by a whisker, Dipa's coach Bishweshwar Nandi revealed that the 23-year-old was inconsolable. "Missing the bronze by so less a margin will remain the biggest regret for us," said Nandi.
India Today reports that Asian Games Silver medallist Tintu Lukha was also in the running for the country's highest sporting honour.
