Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar missed out on a historic medal in the women's vault competition by a whisker as she finished a creditable fourth in the final of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Dipa averaged 15.066 points to finish fourth at the Rio Olympic Arena on Sunday.
Dipa Karmakar performs on the vault. AP
Simone Biles of the US won the gold with an average of 15.966, while Maria Paseka (15.253) of Russia and Switzerland's Giulia Steingrubber (15.216) took home the silver and bronze medals respectively.
Despite being disappointed at missing out on the medal, Dipa asserted that she is determined to train harder and do better at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
"I am happy to have come fourth. Next time when I come to Olympics, I will do better. Those who won in Vault ahead of me were better athletes," she said.
"I was very happy with my performance but the medal slipped away at the last moment. Anyway, I hope my coming years would be very good. I will try that in the future our performance at the next Olympics would be good," Dipa added.
Athletes, celebrities, politicians and supporters from across the country too to twitter to congratulated Dipa on her incredible feat.
Thank u #DipaKarmakar fr getting us united at midnight cheering fr Gymnastics,in a country with no infrastructure for this sport.Super Proud
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 14, 2016
Very proud of #DipaKarmakar
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 14, 2016
I think India should be very very proud of #DipaKarmakar.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 14, 2016
Finishing 4th in gymnastics... Comparable to Milkha Singh and PT Usha! So proud of you Dipa Karmakar!!
Highlight for India in Rio 2016!— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) August 14, 2016
We are proud of you #DipaKarmakar
A great achievement!
Congratulations to her coach Bishweshwar Nandi also! Well done— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) August 14, 2016
#DipaKarmakar you made us all proud.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) August 14, 2016
Well done DIPA KARMAKAR so proud of you..
— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) August 14, 2016
I love you Dipa Karmakar, youre not a #gymnast.
You're a flying manifestation of hope :).— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) August 14, 2016
i have seen some things in my life, but i have never cried at a sports event. i am today. this girl is just... #DipaKarmakar
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 14, 2016
Was I the only Indian to get a little tearful with pride watching Dipa? Dont care if she gets a medal. She's made us proud #DipaKarmakar
— vir sanghvi (@virsanghvi) August 14, 2016
We are proud of you #DipaKarmakar
A great achievement!
We salute you #HappyIndependenceDay my SandArt at PuriBeach pic.twitter.com/CS2iJcfSNi— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) August 14, 2016
Dipa should get everything from the Indian authorities to train more. She is a star.
— Ivan Mehta (@IndianIdle) August 14, 2016
Behind that million watt smile must be the pressure of making a billion smile. Don't stress Dipa, you've already made us proud
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) August 14, 2016
Dipa Karmarkar: on a bleak day you lit up our hopes for the future of Indian sports despite not winning a medal. Thank you.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 14, 2016
T 2348 - #DipaKarmakar .. the pride of India .. your story is what compels us to do better ... and we will !! Many congratulations !!
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) August 14, 2016
#DipaKarmakar you've won!... Our hearts and our respect #Rio2016 #Olympics
— Aditi Rao Hydari (@aditiraohydari) August 14, 2016
Freedom means to go live ur dreams n make them come true, #DipaKarmakar u ve taught an entire nation about freedom #HappyIndependenceDay
— Neha Dhupia (@NehaDhupia) August 14, 2016
Praying for our #DipaKarmakar ! Proud of you:)
— Shreya Ghoshal (@shreyaghoshal) August 14, 2016
So so close Dipa! Will always be proud of you. You give hope to many young people who dare to dream!#DipaKarmakar #Rio2016
— Boman Irani (@bomanirani) August 14, 2016
With inputs from IANS
Firstpost is now on WhatsApp. For the latest analysis, commentary and news updates, sign up for our WhatsApp services. Just go to Firstpost.com/Whatsapp and hit the Subscribe button.
Updated Date: Aug 15, 2016 10:52:20 IST
