Advani looking to maintain winning streak

Pankaj Advani attributed his stunning triumphs this year when he won four World titles, to his continuing evolution as a cueist and he hoped to ride the momentum in the IBSF World snooker championship to be held here from Nov 16 to 29.

The 29-year old Advani, speaking to the media on the sidelines of a felicitation function here Saturday within hours after returning from England, said he was not thinking so much about results as evolving into a better player when asked whether he would add a fifth World title Nov 29.

The Billiards and Snooker Federation of India secretary S. Balasubramaniam presented Advani a cash prize of Rs. 3.5 lakh and the Karnataka State Billiards Association, his home club, Rs. 1.5 lakh.

"While winning and losing are part of the sport, I am not really thinking of the results, but want to evolve into a better player which for me is most fulfilling.

"This year has been great for me and a lucky one too. But I have worked hard on my game," said Advani who won the World 6-Red snooker title besides World team gold medal, and followed by a grand double at the World billiards championship earlier this month when he won both the points and timed formats.

At only 29, Advani has already won 12 World titles and the expectations are high that he would add one more to the tally this month by taking the IBSF World snooker championship crown that he had last won in 2003.

Advani, the one-time boy wonder who won his first title as a 11-year old by defeating his elder brother Shree in the final, recently returned his professional card while opting to focus more on billiards for which he has a pronounced bias.

"The two years on the professional snooker circuit (in 2011 and 2012) have certainly helped me in becoming tougher mentally and also improving my game. Yes, I benefitted from all the exposure on the snooker tour.

"I have also learnt to handle pressure of playing on show tables. I think, I now perceive the big stage as my own, unlike in the past when I used to feel nervous and edgy while playing the big matches," said Advani whose name is prefixed with 'Lord' at the Star Snooker Academy in Sheffield where he was based during his professional snooker stint.

"They call me 'Lord' because they feel I am blessed, which I am, in terms of talent and ability as a billiards player. But I also need to thank the BSFI, the KSBA and my employers ONGC, for all the support," added Advani who practiced for a week at the academy after the World billiards championship prior to returning home Saturday.

The BSFI also felicitated Umadevi Nagaraj, the silver medallist at World women's billiards and Vidya Pillai, who won the bronze at the Australian Open snooker tournament.