Doha, Feb 20: Indian cue sports legend Pankaj Advani has once again demonstrated his exceptional skills on the international stage by securing an extraordinary 14th gold medal at the Asian Snooker Championship. This victory follows closely behind his triumph at the National Snooker Championship in Indore, reinforcing his status as India’s most celebrated cueist.
Advani’s latest achievement adds to an impressive portfolio of accolades, including five Asian snooker titles (in 15-red, 6-red, and team formats), nine Asian billiards titles, and two Asian Games gold medals from 2006 and 2010, showcasing his dominance in the sport.
With this win, he is on the verge of a remarkable milestone — the potential to capture the National, Asian, and World Snooker Championships within a single calendar year. Having previously accomplished this in billiards, doing so in snooker would make him the first player in history to achieve this in both disciplines.
The final against Iran’s Amir Sarkhosh was a true contest of champions. Sarkhosh, a former Asian and IBSF 6-red snooker champion, started strong, taking an early lead. However, Advani, renowned for his calm demeanor under pressure, responded effectively.
With notable breaks of 93 and 66, he seized control of the match and maintained his lead, displaying his signature precision and strategic prowess.
Commenting on his victory, Advani expressed, “Winning my 14th Asian title is immensely special, particularly in snooker. It has been a challenging tournament, and I am excited to add another gold medal to my achievements. I aim to sustain this momentum and continue making India proud.” This remarkable success further cements his legacy in cue sports history, as he now sets his sights on the World Snooker Championship later this year. Everyone eagerly anticipates whether he can achieve another significant milestone in his illustrious career.
