Expectations make me more focused, insists confident Dipa Karmakar

KOLKATA: Dipa Karmakar, a tiny 5-foot-tall girl from Tripura, wears a fiercely determined look.
The 22-year old, who became the first Indian woman gymnast to seal an Olympic berth, has mastered the Produnova vault - a dangerous manoeuvre in which one false step may lead to a career-threatening injury. "Taking risks comes easy to me," Dipa said on Wednesday. Sitting beside coach Bishweswar Nandy, the surprise package of India's Rio-bound contingent speaks about her shot at Olympic glory and much more in an exclusive interview with TOI.Following are excerpts:
Has anything changed in life since April 17 when you became the first Indian woman gymnast to seal an Olympic berth?
Nothing at all. I've been going through the same fitness regime, same practice routines under the guidance of my coach (Nandy). My job is not finished yet.
But you are a celebrity now, a medal hope for India in Rio de Janeiro...
I remain what I've been all these years. I've achieved a small goal. You may say the journey has just begun, I'm yet to reach my destination. Yes, I know expectations are growing about my chances of winning an Olympic medal, but such expectations are making me more responsible and focused on my goal.
How are you preparing to achieve that goal?
Our camp in New Delhi will start on May 1. Although my focus is on vaulting, I need to concentrate more on aspects of execution in other events, including floor exercise and uneven bar. I may also take part in an international tournament before the start of Olympic Games.
How was your experience in the Olympic trial event?
It was a very positive experience. This was the same city (Rio), same venue and same apparatus which will be used during the Games. Moreover, I also got the opportunity to compete against some of the rivals I'll face in the Olympics.
The Produnova vault, which is a high-risk manoeuvre, seems to come easy to you. How do you explain that?
I'm a very stubborn girl. Whenever there's a challenge, it makes me tickly till I overcome it. Adversity, or you may say my stubbornness, makes me more determined. I'm quite aware of the risk involved in executing a Produnova vault. But to be successful, you need to take some risks. And taking risks comes easy to me. As part of my preparation for the Rio Games, I'm now focusing on and trying to perfect another high-risk skill. It's called Tsukahara vault where you need to turn and twist your body 720 degrees (repeat vault).It'll be another weapon of mine in Rio.