Dipa Karmakar & Pranati Nayak Win Big At Gymnastics Nationals 2024

The Artistic Gymnastics National Championship 2024 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, unfolded with breathtaking routines and awe-inspiring performances. The spotlight of the event shone brightly on iconic gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who made a triumphant return to the nationals after an eight-year hiatus, securing the gold medal in the women's all-around category. Pranati Nayak also left an indelible mark, claiming the title in the women's vault event.

Let's delve into the remarkable achievements and notable moments that graced this championship.

Dipa Karmakar's Resplendent Return

Dipa Karmakar, a Rio 2016 Olympian and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, showcased her exceptional skills by clinching the gold in the women's all-around category. With a total tally of 49.55 points, Karmakar left spectators in awe and expressed her joy at competing in senior nationals after nearly a decade. Her performance not only underscored her mastery of artistic gymnastics but also marked a significant moment in her illustrious career.

Adding to her triumph, Karmakar secured silver in both the women's vault and uneven bars individual apparatus events. Her prowess in executing flawless routines reaffirmed her status as one of India's premier gymnasts. The gymnastic aficionados were treated to a spectacle as Karmakar gracefully soared through the air, leaving an indomitable mark on the competition.

Pranati Nayak's Vaulting Victory

Tokyo Olympian Pranati Nayak dazzled the audience with her stellar performance, clinching the gold medal in the vault segment. Nayak's precision and grace were on full display as she outshone competitors, solidifying her position as a force to be reckoned with in artistic gymnastics. Protistha Samanta added to the glory by securing the bronze, showcasing the depth of talent in the women's vault event.

She is an Indian sportswoman and gymnast from the state of West Bengal who shot to sports fame in 2019. She won the bronze medal in the professional vault event at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Nayak has come far, and her performance at the Asian Games was promising. Having qualified for both the women's vault and all-around gymnastics finals, Nayak has asserted her status as one of India's top vaulting gymnasts, along with Dipa Karmakar.

Other Standout Performances

The championship witnessed outstanding performances across various categories, highlighting the diversity of talent in Indian gymnastics. Rakesh Kumar Patra's dominance in the men's all-around category, followed by a triumphant display in the rings, parallel bars, and horizontal bar events, showcased his unparalleled skill and consistency. The Railways emerged as the champions in both the women's and men's team categories, attaining commendable scores and reinforcing their prowess in team gymnastics.

Medal Tally Highlights

Here's a glimpse of the top performers in different categories:

• Women’s all-around: 1. Dipa Karmakar (gold) 2. Pranati Das (silver) 3. Swastika Ganguly (bronze)
• Men’s all-around: 1. Rakesh Kumar Patra (gold) 2. Siddharth Verma (silver) 3. Gaurav Kumar (bronze)
• Women’s vault: 1. Pranati Nayak (gold) 2. Dipa Karmakar (silver) 3. Protistha Samanta (bronze)

Team Championships

Women's Team: Railways Clinch Gold

In the women's team category, Railways emerged as the champions with a total of 182.60 points. Maharashtra secured the second position, and West Bengal claimed the third spot, showcasing the collective talent of these teams.

Men's Team: Railways Triumphs Again

The men's team event witnessed a spirited competition, with Railways clinching the gold medal. Services secured the silver, and Odisha settled for the bronze, highlighting the intensity of the competition.

The captivating performances, especially by Dipa Karmakar and Pranati Nayak, have undoubtedly set a high standard for excellence in artistic gymnastics. The stage is now set for these athletes to make their mark in the international arena, and the nation eagerly awaits their continued success.