Gymnastics: My next objective is an Olympic medal, says Dipa Karmakar

Rio de Janeiro: After becoming the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for the Olympics, Dipa Karmakar has set her eyes on a podium finish at the Rio Games scheduled to be held in August.
The 22-year-old garnered a total score of 52.698 points in the Olympics qualifying event Monday to book a berth for artistic gymnastics in Rio Games.
"It is a good feeling to win a gold medal," Dipa was quoted as saying at the official facebook page of the International Federation of Gymnastics.
"My next objective is an Olympic medal podium," she said after clinching the gold in vaults finals at the test event of the Rio Games on Monday.
The Tripura girl scored 14.833 as her best effort to finish first in the women's vaults finals at the Rio Olympic Arena. She defeated 2008 Olympic silver medallist Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan.
Apart from being the first Indian woman, she will also be an Indian gymnast qualifying for the quadrennial extravaganza after 52 long years.
Since the independence of the country, 11 Indian male gymnast have taken part in the Olympics (two in 1952, three in 1956 and six in 1964) but this will be the first for an Indian woman at the Olympics.
Modi lauds Dipa’s feat
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed Dipa Karmakar, saying she brought laurels for the country by her sheer determination.
“Dipa has made India proud and brought glory to its name. First time, a daughter from the country has been selected in gymnastics stream for the Rio Olympics. She has achieved the feat through her determination. Lack of resources never came in her way,” he said, addressing the convocation of Shri Mata
Vaishno Devi University here in northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said it is essential to have firm determination to
excel in life and the amount of facilities available should not become an obstacle in this pursuit.