From Service to Success: VT Seva Seattle Youth Volunteer Wins 2025 U-2000 Table Tennis National Championship

At VT Seva, our youth volunteers lead with heart—on and off the field. Saicharan Vellanki, a dedicated VT Seva volunteer and Prajna student, recently proved this by winning the 2025 U-2000 Table Tennis National Championship.

In this interview, he shares how discipline, humility, and a spirit of service have shaped his journey as both an athlete and a person.

1. What was your mindset going into the 2025 U-2000 National Championship?

Going into nationals, I kept one thing in mind. This was that in every match, even if the opponent were far better or if I was losing within the match, I would not give up and continue fighting. Additionally, I decided not to care too much about the result. If I won the match, I would celebrate the victory. If I lost, I would move on to my next events, continuing to play my best.

2. How did you prepare—mentally and physically—for this level of competition?

Physically, I played table tennis almost every single day. This would be in the form of private classes with my coach, playing with my friends, or participating in the weekly mini-tournaments on Saturdays. This practice was necessary for me to perform well. Mentally, I didn't think too much about how I would perform in the tournament or the results I would achieve. I always kept a clear mind and stayed focused in the moment, continuing to prepare and practice.

3. When did you first start playing table tennis, and what drew you to the sport?

I started playing table tennis at the age of 7. I was drawn to the sport as I watched my dad and other players, much higher than my level at the time, play. I wanted to be just like them, and my table tennis journey had begun.

4. Who has been your biggest inspiration or mentor in your table tennis journey?

My biggest mentor in this sport has been my coach, Eric. He has taught me the skills and strategy I know in the sport and made me the player I am today. Additionally, he has taught me valuable life lessons, such as discipline and, most importantly, the ability to accept and learn from loss.

5. How have you balanced academics, volunteering, and competitive sports?

Balancing academics, table tennis, and volunteering has not always been easy. Some days, I would have to stay awake very late after my late-night table tennis class to complete my unfinished schoolwork. Volunteering and table tennis would sometimes be adjacent, making me rush from one to the other. However, my motivation to always improve helped me overcome these problems.

6. Has your experience as a Prajna student influenced your approach to discipline and focus?

As a student of Prajna from a young age, I learned important life skills that I was able to apply in table tennis. Mainly, it was discipline and the ability to stay focused on my goals. With these two qualities, I continued to push forward in my table tennis career, even when practicing was tiring and draining, ultimately paying off in the end.

7. What does volunteering with VT Seva mean to you?

To me, volunteering at VT Seva means giving back to my community and those who are less privileged than I am. Many things, such as water, food, shelter, and education, are often taken for granted; however, not everyone has access to these necessities. Bridging this gap has been my motivation for volunteering at VT Seva.

8. How has community service shaped your perspective as an athlete?

Community service has kept me humble and respectful, both as an athlete and as a person. Many players, after winning one medal or tournament, become arrogant and disrespectful, thinking very highly of themselves. However, in the end, this ultimately ruins them as a player, and their wins turn into losses. Community service has reminded me that no matter how many medals and wins I achieve, humility and respect are even more important than these things.

9. What are your goals for the future—both in table tennis and beyond?

In table tennis, I hope to keep competing at the national level and share my knowledge with younger players who have just begun this sport. Beyond table tennis, I hope to pursue a career in computer science, particularly in the applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare, specifically, in cancer.

10. What advice would you give to young athletes who are just starting out?

For young athletes, I would advise them to trust the process and view a loss as a learning opportunity. The hours they put into the sport will ultimately pay off one day or another, and even if unexpected results occur, they should continue pushing as the desired results come one day. I would also tell them one loss doesn’t mean anything. It does not define them as a player, however, what defines them is how they take that loss. If they take it as an opportunity to learn rather than getting caught up in it too much, they will become a better player than they already are.

We’re proud to see Saicharan embody the values of VT Seva in everything he does. His story is a reminder that service, perseverance, and humility can take you far—whether in sports, studies, or life. Congratulations, Saicharan!