Pankaj Advani regains National billiards title

Dec 15:  Pankaj Advani clinched his second National Billiards title after a gap of three years

Reigning World champion Pankaj Advani rose to the occasion, defeating former World champion and five-time national champion Ashok Shandilya 1325-853 in the final, to regain the title of the 74th National men’s seniors billiards championship, held at the Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy Indoor Stadium here on Friday.

The 22-year-old Advani pocketed his second National billiards title, after a gap of three years, in a logical style, as he was consistent in the entire tournament that was apparent by seven half-century breaks and just two-century breaks. Advani claimed his maiden national title in the year 2003.

Advani was in fine touch right from the start as he made best use of the visits he made to the green carpet. He had two major breaks of 199 and 117 on the 47th and 59th visits respectively, which in a way helped him to unsettle his opponent Shandilya, just when he seemed to be getting his lost touch.

Whereas, Shandilya had only one century break of 115 on the 57th visit, and a partial 81 on the last. Advani held a 287-point lead (577-290) at the breather and put an unrelenting pressure on his rival with a steady scores of 77(21st), 68 (37th) 53(88th) and 40(46th).

Earlier, former National champion Geet Sethi had to content with the third place after defeating Rupesh Shah 692-674.

“Probably, the start which I got made the difference,” pleasing Advani said.

“Pankaj definitely played better and deserved to be the winner today,” said Shandilya after the match.

“I am not going to offer any excuse but somehow the balls were not splitting and just going through,” Shandilya added.