Triple Jumper Selva Prabhu's Remarkable Comeback: NCAA Silver and National Record
From the highs of a World Athletics U-20 Championships silver medal in 2022 to the frustrating lows of persistent injuries, triple jumper Selva Prabhu's athletic journey has been a rollercoaster of challenges and triumphs. Now, at just 21 years old, the Madurai-born athlete has turned his fortunes around, clinching a silver medal with a national record leap of 17.05 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, North Carolina, last week.
Overcoming Obstacles and Setting New Benchmarks
Selva, currently a student at Kansas State University, embarked on the collegiate route in February last year, and his move to the USA has proven transformative. In his one-year stay so far, he has remained injury-free, a stark contrast to his struggles in India where he often competed at only 80 to 90% fitness from 2023 to 2025. "I knew that I could perform, but the injuries kept troubling me," Selva told TOI from the USA. "That was one of the reasons why I moved to the USA as they take good care of athletes and have a good programme."
Prior to the NCAA Indoors, Selva consistently hit the 16.50-meter mark in three competitions, building momentum for his breakthrough performance. His fifth-place finish at the NCAA Outdoors last year set the stage, and he believes breaching the 17-meter barrier indoors is just the beginning of what's to come this season.
Training Transformation and Mental Fortitude
What has changed for Selva after relocating to the USA is not just his physical health but also his training regimen and mental approach. "The off-season went really well, as we focused extensively on running, including hill training," he explained. "The volume of running I did was quite high, and compared to my training in India, where I focused mainly on jumps, this was a big change. I had some issues with my run-up earlier, but we have now worked on it."
Moreover, Selva has learned to handle pressure better. "During my initial competitions in the NCAA, I was nervous and had a lot of pressure as the athletes I was competing against were top-class," he admitted. "Now, I have learned how to handle pressure, and in the final, it did not affect me because I have the experience of competing in several events. I get to learn from top-level players and observe them closely."
Future Goals: Commonwealth and Asian Games in Sight
With his eyes set on major international competitions, Selva's main focus this year is on the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. To secure a place in the CWG, he must compete in the Federation Cup in May. He plans to travel to India next month for a couple of events along with the CWG qualifiers, though an important outdoor meet in the USA scheduled around the same time may require careful planning with his coach.
As for the Asian Games, competing in the Inter-State Athletics meet in July is mandatory. Selva noted that he will be able to attend without any hassle, as the NCAA Outdoor season concludes in June. "My main focus this year is on the Commonwealth and Asian Games," he reiterated. "I wanted to be fit for the NCAA Indoors and cross the 17m mark, which I managed to do."
Breaking the school record at the NCAA Indoors has already garnered him more attention, and Selva is optimistic about his future. "Now that I have broken the school record, I will get more attention," he said, adding that the training methods in India did not suit him as well as those in the USA. His journey from injury setbacks to record-breaking success serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and adaptation in the world of athletics.
