President Mukherjee lauds Dipa Karmakar on historical qualification for Rio

President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday congratulated and lauded Dipa Karmakar, who scripted history by becoming India's first woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics.

"Hearty congratulations to Dipa Karmakar, for becoming the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for the Olympics. Also, complements to Dipa for the gold medal in women's vaults finals at the test event of the Rio Games #PresidentMukherjee," the President said in a series of tweets.

Asserting that all Indians will rejoice at Dipa's achievements, he also extended his best wishes and prayers for her continued success

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra also lauded Karmakar for her achievements saying the she had brought name and fame to the nation.

"Just yesterday a daughter of India, Dipa Karmakar brought fame to the country at Rio Olympics and for the first time a daughter is going in Gymnastic," Prime Minister Modi said while speaking at the fifth convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.

"She hails from Tripura, a small state with fewer resources. Is she going to Rio because of resources? No she is going because of commitment, she wants the tricolor to fly high and that is why she has reached there," he added.

The 22-year-old gymnast from Tripura displayed her best efforts as she scored 14.833 points in her first attempt to become the first Indian woman to clinch gold in a global gymnastics event.

Karmakar, who already created history by winning bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, scored 14.566 in her second and last tries, respectively.

Earlier, Karmakar exhibited a strong show as she finished ninth in the first of the four subdivisions of the women's artistic category to qualify for the Olympics.

Karmakar had failed to secure an Olympic berth during the World Championships in November as she finished outside the podium (fifth place).