Dipa Karmakar scripted history on Sunday by becoming the first Indian gymnast to clinch a Gold medal at a global event, announcing in style her comeback from a career-threatening injury, at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in Mersin, Turkey.
Returning to action after a lay-off of nearly two years due to a knee injury, Dipa emerged triumphant in the vault event.
The 24-year-old from Tripura, who had finished fourth in vault event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, scored 14.150 to win the top prize. She had topped the qualification with a score of 13.400.
“She is now the first Indian gymnast to win a Gold in a world level event,” Gymnastics Federation of India vice-president Riyaz Ahmed Bhati said.
In her first attempt, Dipa had a difficulty score of 5.400 while collecting 8.700 in execution for a total of 14.100. She improved the score in her second attempt.