Ipsa Medhavi is an emerging Taekwondo player. Daughter of RK Medhavi, an engineer and S Medhavi, a pharmacist Ipsa is a student of class VII at Mount Carmel School, Dwarka. After joining the school last year she took up Taekwondo and in a span of one year she has won 12 gold medals out of 14 tournaments she played at district, national and state levels. She says, "This time my target is to win gold at the upcoming national games and to go forward in my Mission Olympics."
Soft-spoken and shy by nature Ipsa is role model for her younger brother Mayank Medhavi who is also a martial art player. Ipsa likes Western music, especially songs of Hannah Montana. She likes fast food but tries to balance with a daily routine of exercise and jogging which help keep her stamina.
Apart from being a good player of Takwando Ipsa is a very good singer, painter, dancer and skater. In skating she has won several medals at school, district and state levels. "Before joining Mount Carmel skating was everything for me and my coach predicted that I would become a champion skater but I could not carry it forward because of poor infrastructure and lack of facilities."
The beginning and success in one year
Ipsa started practising Taekwondo in June 2009. Her coach Janardan Yadav encouraged her to join Taekwando. She shares, "I was not keen to join Takewando initially but my friends insisted that I take it up."
On her performance in her very first tournament her coach says, "She made everyone proud by winning gold medal in the very first competition which was also a selection test for CBSE National Championship. She participated in the Nationals held at Indore and though she did not get any medal we were satisfied seeing her passion and approach to the game." Ipsa has never looked back since then and so far she has won 6 golds, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals in 12 competitions she has participated in.
Dedicated approach to the game
According to Ipsa's coach her dedication to the game is rare for a kid of this age in such sport where girls are not very common. She never compromises with her practice session and even in summer holidays. Her mother S Medhavi says, "During her recent summer vacations she took one month's rigorous training in China. Her Chinese coach appreciated her skills and she has achieved Blue-Green belt and a certificate from WTF, China."
Dream for any medal at Olympic
Ipsa says, "I study to clear my examination only. My dream is to win a medal for the nation in Olympics and I am confident about that."
— Akhilesh Pandey