Poster boy of Cuesports, ONGCian Pankaj Advani wins yet another world title in Mandalay, Myanmar to take his tally to a whopping 22 world titles in Billiards and Snooker. Pankaj Advani won the IBSF World Billiards (point format) for the fourth successive year. Incredible determination and grit saw Advani warding off the challenge of local favorite Nay Thway Oo, with a score-line of six-two.
Advani took an early lead of three-zero in a best of 11 games, 150 points up encounter with the help of match-winning breaks of 145, 89 and 127 respectively. Though, Thway pulled up one in the fourth and another in the seventh with a century breaks. Yet, he was unable to match the ruthless onslaught of Advani, who wrapped up the proceedings with a delectable unfinished 150 in the sixth and a well-crafted 72 in the 8th.
ONGCians Pankaj Adani (Left) and Sourav Kothari (Right) with their respective Gold and Bronze trophy
Earlier in the semifinals, Advani defeated former multiple world Champion Mike Russell of England.
Another ONGCian, Sourav Kothari, wins Bronze medal in IBSF World Billiards (point format). Kothari put up a creditable show to reach the medal round, by defeating another experienced and former world Champion, Praprut of Thailand. However, he lost to Nay Thway Oo in the semifinals three-five.
In spite of some spirited display to level the score line three-three after being down one-three, Kothari did not find any openings to score as Nay Thay Oo unfolded a magnificent spell to take away the last two frames with breaks of 150 and 130.
Advani now has set his eyes on two more world titles in the IBSF 6 red World Snooker and IBSF Team Snooker Championship, now being played at Mandalay, Myanmar.
The world title haul of Pankaj Advani started in the year 2003, when he was just 17 years old, with an incredible IBSF World Snooker title win in China. He said, “Every time I participate in a world championship, one thing is clear – my motivation to excel has not diminished. This win is a testament to the fact that my hunger and fire are both well and truly alive.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Advani’s epoch - making achievements. The tweet stated, “Congratulations Pankaj Advani. The entire nation is proud of your accomplishments. Your tenacity is admirable. Best wishes for your future endeavors."
