Sports...

Super Advani wins Asian crown

Bangalore: Pankaj Advani once again proved he was meant for great success, capturing the Asian billiards title in stunning fashion in Myanmar on Saturday. The amiable Bangalorean scored over compatriot Rupesh Shah 5-4 in the title round.

The Bangalore lad is the first Indian to claim the title twice. This title could not have come at a better time. An early pointer to his form came in the qualifying competition in
Siliguri last month. In less than six months, Advani has claimed virtually every billiards title up for grabs. The National title, the World title (point format) and now the Asian crown.

The 22-year-old’s success story is a reflection of his courage to be himself, and his single-minded focus on his craft. State government accolades and appreciations have been few and far between for this Khel Ratna awardee, but that has hardly bogged him down. At a time when the country is almost completely focussed on cricket, Advani has made India proud again.

He has an intense manner around the table, which often leaves spectators spell bound. He lurks around the table with one hand in the pocket and the other holding his cue. Under the caterpillar eyebrows, it is hard for the opponent to see where Pankaj is looking. And once the match his won, he walks off with the a smile and composure seen only among veterans.

Even before his 15th birthday, he had proved that he was a player to watch on the cuesports circuit. Having hit the first sweet spot in a neighborhood snooker parlour at the age of 10. At just 22 years of age he has both world snooker and billiards titles to his credit. The Bangalore boy, known for his composure and maturity has joined the league of legends like Wilson Jones and Geet Sethi as one of the best billiards players ever produced by the country.

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Pankaj Advani is a professional snooker player from India. He won his maiden IBSF

World Billiards Championship in 2005 when he defeated compatriot Devendra Joshi at Qawra, Malta.

The win, after his 2003 IBSF World Snooker Championship title in China, made him only the second cueist after Malta's Paul Mifsud to have won both the billiards and snooker amateur world titles. Coached by former World number four Arvind Savur for almost a decade at Bangalore he is B.Com student of Jain College, Bangalore.



He has been conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honour for the year 2005-2006