Hailing from Manchester, United Kingdom Mia Pachansky never thought a day in her life she would ever fight for a living. Describing herself as a “very un-sporty kid”, she was actually inspired to do so to compete with her younger brother who also took part in the sport of taekwondo. After fighting competitively for years, competitions from 2020 to 2021 were canceled, but with 2022 just a month away, Pachansky is eager to get back into the ring and strive to greater success than ever before.

 

Get to know Mia Pachanksy in an exclusive interview below: 

V Magazine: When did you realize you wanted to do taekwondo?

Mia Pachansky: What made me want to take taekwondo seriously, more than just a hobby, was going to my first competition. The feeling of thrill that you get from stepping onto the mats is very addictive, and the atmosphere in the venue, even at my first small local comp- is always electric. I did get beaten badly in my very first fight, but it flipped a switch in me and that’s what made me hungry to improve and itching to compete again soon after.

V: Who inspires you in taekwondo?

MP: Growing up, my role models have been and are; GB double Olympic Champion Jade Jones for her consistency—to have already achieved an Olympic gold medal then still come back 4 years later for more is insane dedication. As well as Thai Olympic champion Panipak Wongpattanakit whose fighting style I really admire.

V: What does a training season look like to you summed up in 5 words?

MP: Every day is training season (laughs).

V: How has sport affected the non-athletic parts of your life?

MP: It’s definitely boosted my confidence massively, and with the countless setbacks that sport throws at you, from injuries to losses to training through a pandemic, it’s taught me to be more resilient in other parts of my life too.

V: If you didn’t play sport professionally what would your occupation be?

MP: I’d probably go to university to study biology, which is something that I’d like to do in the far future anyway, and then go on to look for a career in that field.

V: What are 5 training essentials you cannot do taekwondo without?

MP: The first component of taekwondo to develop is the technical skills. That’s focusing on getting the technique of each kick correct and doesn’t require physical fighting, just a partner and some paddles.

The next is tactical, which is the actual fighting done in group sessions with multiple opponents to develop your own fighting style.

You also need a strength and conditioning plan alongside, to improve endurance and strength/power.

To be successful you need the urge to fight. Even though wins are based on who scores more points, if you don’t go into sessions with the mindset of wanting to fight rather than just score more points, you won’t win.

Lastly, a clear aim for what you want to get out of the session. It’s all well and good throwing 100s of kicks but you need to have in your own mind what you specifically want to work on to get the most out of a session.

V: How do you push past your own physical capacity?

MP: When I find myself losing focus or at my limit, I have a mental cue where I ask myself: ‘How badly do you want it?’ to get myself refocused.

V: What are you looking forward to most in 2022?

MP: I’m looking forward to competitions being back in full swing! Other than a couple at the start of 2020 and the end of 2021 most competitions were canceled due to COVID, so I’m excited to get back to competing abroad, getting experience in my first year as a senior, and hopefully bringing back some medals.