Mehtra wins snooker gold at World Games

Asian Snooker champion Aditya Mehta toppled tournament favourite Liang Wenbo of China 3-0 to clinch the men's gold medal at the World Games here on Tuesday.

The top-ranked Indian became the first cueist from the country to become World Games champion, saod Salil Deshpande, joint secretary of the Billiards and Snooker Association of Maharashtra.

This is also India's first World Games medal since legendary shuttler Prakash Padukone's bronze in the inaugural edition in 1981.

"Mehta has now finally proven beyond doubt that he is by far the most accomplished, talented and sincere snooker player that we have seen since Yasin Merchant, who played on the pro circuit," said Deshpande.

"Earlier, whenever a professional snooker player came down to India or played against an Indian on the pro circuit, no one ever gave any chance to any of the Indians against the likes of Steven Hendry, Jimmy White or even the lesser ranked.

"But today Aditya can play any player on the circuit and win, that is what this dedicated player has achieved due to sheer determination and very supportive parents who have backed him all the way," said Deshpande.