Gymnast Dipa Karmakar fears missing Asian Games 2023, details discouraging recent events

Seasoned gymnast Dipa Karmakar took to social media to vent out her frustration and disappointment over the uncertainty surrounding the selection of the gymnastics team for the Asian Games 2023, scheduled to be held in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8. Dipa Karmakar detailed “demotivating and discouraging” turn of events, saying she is fearing that she might not be part of the Asian Games this year despite topping the selection trials conducted by the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) in July.

The GFI, on July 26, named a 9-member gymnastics team, which included Rio Olympics star Dipa Karmakar, for the Asian Games after trials in Bhubaneshwar.

However, the Sports Ministry had reportedly informed the GFI that only 2 of the 9 qualified gymnasts met the selection criteria for the Asian Games. According to the rule set on July 10, “the performance of the sportspersons should not be less than the performance achieved by the 8th position holder of the 2018 Asian Games in measurable sports in individual events during the last twelve months prior to the commencement of the event”.

Despite topping the selection trials with an all-round score of 47.05 on her comeback from a 21-month doping ban, Karmakar’s name was not included in the final list of athletes.

“On this #IndependenceDay, I am using my freedom of speech to discuss recent events that have proven to be very demotivating and discouraging. The #AsianGames2023, an event I have eagerly anticipated for the past two years, looks further than it is,” Dipa Karmakar said in a tweet.

“To my surprise, despite topping the national trials and meeting the @IndiaSports selection criteria, it appears that I will be deprived of the opportunity to participate in the @19thAGofficial.

“Worse still, the reasons behind this decision are unknown to me and have not been communicated officially. Instead, my fellow gymnasts and I are left to read about our exclusion from the Games in the news and I simply don’t know what to make of it,” he added.

Karmakar, who had been away from gymnastics since 2019 due to injuries and a doping suspension, requested SAI for a relaxation in the eligibility criteria. She cited setbacks such as two ACL tears in 2017 and 2019, limited opportunities to compete during the pandemic, and a 21-month suspension that concluded in mid-July 2023 due to a doping violation as reasons for her request.

The GFI also wrote to the Sports Ministry and SAI, advocating for Karmakar’s inclusion based on her past performance and potential. A ministry official indicated that Karmakar is likely to be given relaxation for her contribution to Indian gymnastics. However, as of August 15, 2023, no formal communication has been received, leaving Karmakar and other gymnasts in a state of uncertainty.