Pankaj Advani wins his 7th World Championship title

Leeds, October 28, 2012:  India's most celebrated cueist Pankaj Advani stamped his dominance in the sport winning his seventh World Championship title, beating defending champion and seasoned English cueist Mike Russell, 1895 - 1216.  

Fresh from his resounding 881 - 281 victory over compatriot Dhruv Sitwala in the semifinals, Pankaj raced into a lead with a century break of 147 and a double century break of 298 within the first hour of the 5-hour long encounter in the finals of the timed format of the World Blliards Championship in Leeds. A seasoned campaigner, Mike then scored a break of 397 to equalize, but Pankaj fought back strongly with breaks of 131 and 92 to take the lead in the first half of the match.

Pankaj started the second half with another century break of 128 and followed this with breaks of 94 and 108 to cement his lead over Mike. With a final century break of 119, Pankaj Advani beat 11-time Champion Mike Russell 1895- 1216 to win his seventh World Billiards Championship title, and his fourth in the timed format. It was a case of history repeating itself for Pankaj who had beaten Mike Rusell 2030-1253 in the finals of the World Professional Billiards Championship in 2009 at the same venue in Leeds.

Dedicating his win to his mother in celebration of her birthday an elated Pankaj said, "I am so pleased to have won my 7th World Title. I took a gamble while choosing to play the World Championships here in Leeds and not the International Championship on the Professional Snooker tour and I am glad that paid off in my favour. I took a tough decision earlier this year to play both Billiards and Snooker at the highest level, and I am glad that I have been able to maintain top form in both the forms. This victory like every other shall be treasured yet has its own special meaning given the unique challenges I have faced this year. This win is a testament that if you follow your heart, nothing's impossible."

Pankaj has been in stupendous form through the tournament, remaining unbeaten in the earlier rounds to proceed to the knock outs as the top seed in both Points and Timed formats. Pankaj bounced back from his loss to Peter Gilchrist in the quarterfinals of the points format and showed great composure in his quarterfinal encounter against Rupesh Shah in the timed format which he won with a 940 point margin in 180 minutes to storm into the semi-finals where he beat fellow Indian Dhruv Sitwala.

This is the eighth World Championship title overall for Pankaj and his seventh title in Billiards. His first world title in Billiards came in 2005 when he created history by becoming the first cueist ever to win the Timed and Points format of the IBSF World Billiards Championship in the same year, a feat he repeated in 2008. He also won the IBSF World Billiards Championship (Timed Format) in 2007 and won World Professional Billiards title 2009.

The only active player to compete at the highest level in both Billiards and Snooker, Pankaj made the tough choice of picking the World Billiards Championship in Leeds over International Snooker Championships due to a clash in the dates of the two tournaments. The sacrifice, however has paid rich dividends for Pankaj who ended his three year wait for a World Championship title.  

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Pankaj Advani enters final of Timed format World Billiards Championship

Leeds, October 27, 2012:  7-time world champion Pankaj Advani stormed into the finals of the Timed Format of the World Billiards Championship in Leeds. Pankaj quelled tough challenge from fellow Indian and friend Dhruv Sitwala to stay in contention for his eighth world title and seventh World Championship title in Billiards. Showing great composure in the four-hour long encounter against the runner up in 2007 World Championships, Dhruv Sitwala, Pankaj pocketed the match 1381-867. Starting well, Pankaj scored a century break of 155 points and two double century breaks of 204 and 254 in the first half of the match to take a comfortable 600 points lead over Dhruv, with the match poised at 881-281 at the end of two hours of play. When the match resumed, Pankaj started from where he left off, extending his lead to win the match 1381-867 and secure his place in the finals where he will face veteran English cueist Mike Russell. Reflecting on his semi-finals and looking forward to the summit clash against 11-time world champion Mike Russell, Pankaj said, "I had a good match in the semis and my focus is on the finals now. I am looking forward to playing Mike Russell and I want to do my best " The only active player to compete at the highest level in both Billiards and Snooker, Pankaj came into the World Billiards Championship fresh from his campaign at the Professional Snooker Circuit. He has shown great brilliance in comfortably switching from Snooker to Billiards and easing his way into the finals of the Timed format in World Billiards Championship. Remaining unbeaten in the earlier rounds of the tournament, Pankaj entered the knock out rounds as the top seed in both Timed and Points format. Showing great calm and composure, Pankaj put moved on from his loss to Peter Gilchrist in the quarterfinals of the points format and went on to beat another compatriot and seasoned campaigner Rupesh Shah with a 940 point margin in 180 minutes to storm into the semis of the Timed format. A six time world Champion in Billiards, Pankaj created history by becoming the first cueist ever to win the Timed and Points format of the IBSF World Billiards Championship in the same year, when he won both the titles in 2005, a feat he repeated in 2008. He also won the IBSF World Billiards Championship (Timed Format) in 2007 and won World Professional Billiards title 2009 beating defending champion Mike Russell 2030-1253. This year, owing to clash in schedules of the Billiards and Professional snooker circuits, Pankaj made the tough choice of picking the World Billiards Championship in Leeds over International Snooker Championships. He is now looking forward to capturing his seventh World Billiards Title and eighth World Title overall to cement his authority in the sport.

 Press release

Pankaj Advani storms into the semifinals of World Billiards Championship

Leeds, October 26, 2012: India's most celebrated cueist and 7-time world champion Pankaj Advani had a mixed day on day 9 of the World Billiards Championship in Leeds. As a quarterfinalist in both the Time and Points format, Pankaj faced tough competition from Peter Gilchrist, to lose the match 1-4 in the Points format, but proceeded to display great class in the quarterfinals of the Timed format to beat fellow Indian Rupesh Shah 1647-705. Securing a quarterfinal spot against Peter Gilchrist in the Points format, Pankaj had earlier beaten Robin Wilson 4-1 in a best of 7 frames encounter on day 8 of the championships. Commenting on his quarterfinal game against an old rival and seasoned cueist, the young Indian acknowledged that the Singapore representative at the table had kept the pressure on him throughout the game and had played some great Billiards. Moving on to play in the quarterfinals of the Time Format, against Rupesh Shah, Pankaj continued his winning streak from the previous day with a strong start, with 2 double century breaks and 4 century breaks before he proceeded to pocket the game with a 940 point margin in 180 minutes cementing his authority in the sport and will now face Dhruv Sitwala in the penultimate round of the championships. "I am very happy to be playing fellow Indian and a great friend in the semis. With two Indians at the table, we are guaranteed a spot for the country in the finals of the Timed format and it also gives us a great chance of bringing the title home", said one of the last two Indians standing as day 10 of the championships commences.     Shuffling between Sheffield and India, Pankaj is the only active cueist to play both Billiards and Snooker at the highest level and had chosen to participate in the World Billiards Championship over the International Snooker Championships, after a clash in dates made him pick one. Press release

KSBA felicitates Pankaj Advani

Bangalore, April 17, 2012: On returning home to Bangalore, seven time world champion Pankaj Advani was felicitated by the Karnataka State Billiards Association in recognition of his historic win at the Asian billiards championship in Goa. Adding to his long list of achievements, Pankaj Advani became the first cueist to win 5 Asian titles after he defeated Thawat Sujaritthuarkarn of Thailand, 6 games to 3 in the final of the Asian championship earlier this month.

The 'Golden Boy' of India bagged yet another memorable victory in Goa that makes the Nation swells with pride. Being one of India's most celebrated athletes, the young cueist had earlier won the Asian Billiards Championships in 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2005.

On being felicitated by the KSBA, young Advani, who was very grateful to start the year with a victory said, "Winning a title is not my individual achievement alone, but the result of the help and support of many people who have worked tirelessly. My brother Shree Advani has helped me a lot with my mental preparations. He has taught me to think right, and overcome mental barriers. I would also like to thank my coach Arvind Savur who has been a great guiding force for me. If not for him, I would not have improved as quickly."

Praising one of India's most successful cueists, KSBA president MC Uthappa said, "He (Pankaj) already has to his credit many titles - 7 world titles, 5 Asian titles, 2 Asian Games gold medals, 2 Australian Open titles, and 22 National Titles. With each passing year he is inching towards the 100 mark. This felicitation ceremony is to reiterate his achievements and a token of appreciation from us. We wish him the best of luck for his next tournament."

Thanking the KSBA for their support Pankaj Advani said, "KSBA is my second home. This is a wonderful place to hone your skills. Should the younger players need any advice or assistance from seniors like Bhaskar or me, we are always there." Addressing the media he said, "Thank you for your support and for backing me through good and some not so good performances. Your support to the sport can really make a difference to all the youngsters."

In a clash of the best in the finals of the Asian billiards championships, the sport's poster boy Pankaj Advani had the packed audience on their toes; trailing 1 - 2 before leveling scores and eventually winning the title with a score-line of 6 games to 3 in the finals. Pankaj scored 4 century breaks through the course of the finals to pocket this historical win. On the road to history, Pankaj defeated Thailand's Parput 4 games to 3 in the semi finals and also outwitted Peter Gilchrist of Singapore in the quarterfinals 5 games to 2.

Photo caption: LC Uthappa, president, Karnataka State Billiards Association felicitates Pankaj Advani in

Bangalore on April 17, 2012. 

A Press release