Pankaj Advani Is On A Roll, The Man Now Has 21 World Titles To His Name And It's A Big Deal

Pankaj Advani added the longer format title to the points format crown in the IBSF World Billiards Championships to take his world title count to 21.

Advani outclassed B Bhaskar 1500-299 for a record fourth double in his career. He reduced his rival to a mere spectator.

“I’m feeling on top of the world after my fourth grand double in billiards,” said an elated Advani.

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“It was the toughest field with the likes of Bhaskar, Causier and Russell in it and to come out on top is simply unreal. I’m really thrilled to win my 21st world championship gold and am now looking forward to defending my snooker title over the next 10 days here,” he added.

Advani, who gave up his professional snooker card a few years ago to play both billiards and snooker, has been dominating the IBSF circuit in both disciplines and raking up titles with consummate ease.

Most knew which way the final was headed from the start as Advani rifled in a sizzling break of 190 on his first visit following a poor opening by Bhaskar. Breaks flowed from his cue with regularity as further runs of 171, 86, 92 and 134 in quick succession had Bhaskar glued to his chair. He fired another flowing 198 to open up a huge lead.

When Pankaj crossed the thousand mark in the first-to-1500 final, Bhaskar was languishing at 206. The 800-point deficit proved to be a tall order for Bhaskar to bridge. The long periods off the table began to take a toll on him as he couldn’t come up with anything substantial when he got a chance.

That suited Advani fine as there was no let-up in intensity as he constructed a 165, 66 and 89 to lay his hands on the crown. Bhaskar could manage only a 64 and 58 in the entire match.

Results (Final): Pankaj Advani bt B Bhaskar 1500 (190, 171, 86, 92, 66, 134, 62, 198, 165, 66, 89) -299 (64, 58).

Advani’S World Titles

IBSF World Billiards Champion (Time format): 2018, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005

IBSF World Billiards Champion (Points format): 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2008, 2005

World Team Billiards Champion: 2014

IBSF World Snooker Champion: 2017, 2015, 2003

IBSF World 6-Red Snooker Champion: 2015, 2014

IBSF World Snooker Team Champion: 2018