Mary didi inspired us all: Arjuna Awardee Dipa Karmakar

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Olympian gymnast and Arjuna Awardee Dipa Karmakar was in the city to participate in the Abhiruchi Sports Day. On the sidelines of the function, she spoke to The Sentinel on various issues. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): Share your experience in Abhiruchi Sports Day.

Dipa: It's beautiful. Nice to see such an honour to a living legend, that too, in a fantastic way. No doubt, it is a very rare occasion for me.

(TS): Share your early days in gymnastics.

Dipa: The game was not so organized in our State when I started gymnastics. There were also not many scopes for girl athletes. Only my sir, Bisweswar Nandi, was with me. Whatever I achieved today in my career is because of him.

TS: Mary, you, Hima, Lovlina, Mirabai-all girls are from the Northeast…

Dipa: The entire credit should go to Mary didi (Mary Kom). She inspired all of us with her long-lasting career. I feel proud to hail from this region when I see Lovlina, Mira, and Hima making podium finishes in Olympic, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and other major international events. When I started my career, women athletes from the region hardly got proper attention at the national level, but the scenario has completely changed now because of the performance of our present athletes whose names I have already mentioned.

TS: North East is considered the powerhouse in Indian sports. Your comment.

Dipa: Yes. The fitness level of the athletes from this region is very high, and when you add quality training the performance level automatically improves. The willpower of the athletes from the region is also very good. If you see Mary, Hima, Mira, Lovlina and other athletes – all are very hungry for success. This willpower works in the background to produce one after another good athletes from the Northeast.

TS: Upasa Talukdar of Assam is a new star on the horizon of gymnastics. What advice would you like to give her?

Dipa: I have learnt that she is really doing well in the age group category. My tips to her are very simple: Work hard. Always remember that there is no alternative to hard work.

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