Selena Deepthi Selvakumar: Carrying forward a legacy of Gold

On February 13, 2025, at the National Games in Uttarakhand, Indian table tennis witnessed a historic moment that was 31 years in the making.

Selena Deepthi Selvakumar of Tamil Nadu etched her name in the record books, continuing a family legacy of excellence by clinching the women’s singles gold medal.

In doing so, she followed in the footsteps of her mother, Arul Selvi, who won the same title at the 1994 National Games in Mumbai.

The final was a battle of resilience and determination.

Facing Maharashtra’s Swastika Ghosh, Selena found herself trailing 1-5 in the decisive game.

But, much like her mother had decades before, she refused to give in.

Displaying remarkable composure under pressure, she staged a stunning comeback to secure a 4-3 victory, ensuring the family’s golden legacy remained unbroken.

A childhood steeped in Table Tennis

Born on January 5, 2000, in Chennai, Selena’s journey in table tennis began in a household where the sport was second nature.

With both her parents having played the game, she picked up a racket at the age of eight, inspired by watching them in action.

“My mom taught me how to play table tennis. Her experience and knowledge helped me a lot. My dad, also a paddler, taught me how to block,” she recalls.

Table tennis wasn’t just a sport in the Selvakumar household—it was a way of life.

More than just technique, Arul Selvi instilled in her daughter an invaluable mindset.

“Her advice will always be to enjoy the game and not worry about the results. Every match is an experience to learn and improve,” Selena shares.

Mindset at the National Games

Selena entered the National Games with a clear objective: to return home with a medal in every event.

Though she narrowly missed out on doubles and team events, she refused to let those setbacks define her tournament.

“My goal was to win a medal in each event, but unfortunately, we lost all the medal matches in the deciding games. I knew singles was my only chance to prove myself, so I was extra focused,” she explains.

That determination saw her rise to the occasion when it mattered most, securing the title that had once belonged to her mother.

Selena’s rise in table tennis has been shaped by both her own perseverance and the support she received along the way.

She was a part of the prestigious Virat Kohli Foundation, which funded her participation in international tournaments during her junior years. This exposure helped her improve her world ranking and earn a place in the Indian team.

Her list of achievements is already impressive: representing India at the Junior World Championship at just 14, winning bronze in the 2024 National Ranking tournament, receiving the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Best Sportswoman Award, and claiming two gold medals at the ITTF Junior and Cadet Open.

Each tournament has been a learning experience, and her biggest takeaway from the National Games was a newfound attacking approach.

“Before, I played more of a blocking game, but here, I was attacking a lot more,” she notes.

Selena’s National Games triumph is not the culmination of her journey but a stepping stone.

“My short-term goal is to win more national ranking tournaments in singles and break into the Indian team. My long-term goal is to represent India at the 2028 Olympics,” she declares with determination.

And while she has matched her mother’s feat at the National Games, there’s one more family record she has her eyes on.

“I want to win gold in the Senior National Championship to finally surpass my mom’s record!” she adds with a smile.

For Selena Deepthi Selvakumar, the 2025 National Games victory was a moment that connected generations, a testament to the passion and perseverance passed down from mother to daughter.

As she stands at the pinnacle of Indian table tennis, one thing is clear: this is just the beginning.