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What’s the story?
Pankaj Advani’s 17th world title, which he won by beating Mike Russell of England at the IBSF World Billiards Championship in Doha on Sunday has made him one of the most successful Indian athletes
With this title, Advani has reached the pinnacle of sports in India, as he has won the highest number of world titles won by an Indian in any sport.
In case you didn’t know
Advani has achieved a hat-trick of hat-tricks in English billiards, holding the World, Asian, and Indian National Championship titles simultaneously, in three different years - 2005, 2008 and 2012.
The Arjuna awardee became a snooker professional only in 2012 and has four World Championships in snooker. He is the only player ever to win world titles in both the long and short formats of snooker (15-red standard, and 6-red), and both formats of English billiards (time and point).
Heart of the matter
Facing arch-rival Russell in the final encounter, Advani looked out of touch initially, losing two of the first three frames but then recovered like a champion to bag the next five and clinched the title in some fashion. The match reading was 6-2 in Srikanth’s favour (0-155, 150-128, 92-151, 151-0, 151-6, 151-0, 150-58, 150-21).
What’s next?
The legendary cueist, who wins almost every tournament he participates in, has set a benchmark in the sport which is very difficult to emulate. Advani will be eyeing a ‘Grand Double’ as the lengthier format (long-up) of the IBSF World Billiards Championship 2017 commences on Monday at the same venue in Doha.
Author’s take
Advani has often spoken about the fact that he doesn’t get the limelight which he deserves after making India proud on so many occasions. For a country which is obsessed with cricket, the World titles won by this cueist, fails to garner the attention of the mass, who have very less knowledge about the sport.
Advani is just 32-years-old and still has a lot left in him. By the time he retires, he won’t be having much space left at home to keep the trophies. However, a little more recognition from the people of the country is the bare minimum which the iconic sportsperson deserves.
