2024-10-08 10:47:58
2016 Rio Olympics. Then perhaps for the first time Indians watched gymnastics with such interest. Our players had been bringing medals in hockey, wrestling and boxing only. But for the first time there was hope for a medal in gymnastics. Deepa Karmakar raised this hope. The same Deepa Karmakar, who retired today at the age of just 31.
Deepa had missed creating history
Actually, Dipa had already made history by reaching the finals of the Olympics as a gymnast. Then she finished in fourth position and was a few points away from the bronze medal. Dipa had finished fourth in the vault event of the Rio Olympics and missed winning the bronze medal by just 0.15 points. But when the world came to know about his Produnova Vault, everyone was shocked.
After much thought and consideration, I have decided to retire from competitive gymnastics. It’s not an easy decision, but I think it’s the right time. Gymnastics has been the center of my life for as long as I can remember and I am grateful for the ups and downs and every moment in between.
Deepa Karmakar
Why is it called Vault of Death?
Very few people know about the dangerous Vault Produnova, also known as the Vault of Death. There are many reasons behind this. Until the 2016 Rio Olympics, only five women in the history of gymnastics had been able to do it correctly. Deepa was the third woman to do so. In 2014, he also won a medal in the Commonwealth Games through this vault.
Wrong landing and broken neck
The technical or real name of the Produnova Vault is Handspring front double somersault. That means jumping with hands and hitting two balls in the air. This vault was first perfected by Elena Produnova of Russia in 1998-99, since then it has been named Produnova Vault after her. According to the rules, more points are awarded for perfecting the Produnova Vault. If you make a wrong landing during this vault, there is a high chance of breaking your neck. There is still debate in the gymnastics world about the dangers of Produnova.