Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani bags IBSF World Billiards Championship title

Doha, November 13: Indian cueist Pankaj Advani clinched his 17th world title on Sunday after bagging the IBSF World Billiards Championship. Notably, Pankaj Advani defeated arch-rival Mike Russell of England by 6-2 to defend the 150-up format title which he won in Bengaluru last year.

 

Pankaj Advani registered a comprehensive win over Mike Russell of England by 6-2 (0-155, 150-128, 92-151, 151-0, 151-6, 151-0, 150-58, 150-21) in the IBSF World Billiards Championship which was held in Doha, Qatar. Importantly, the Padma Shri and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee is the only Indian to win 17 world titles in any sport played around the world.

However, Advani started off on a slow and negative note in the best-of-11 final, as Russell drew first set with a well-crafted break of 155. Advani immediately fought back in the next set but then Russell won the third. The Indian stepped up his game after that and won the next five frames to clinch the title. Once he got in the groove, he made it look really simple and nullified Russell’s challenge with ease.