All posts tagged: Billiards

Former world billiards champion and current India chief coach Manoj Kothari dies at 67 | Sport-others News

Former world billiards champion and current India chief coach Manoj Kothari dies at 67 | Sport-others News

Published by Webster

Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari, one of the most influential figures in Indian cue sports, died on Monday following a massive cardiac arrest at a hospital in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, a family member told PTI. He was 67. He is survived by his wife, son Sourav Kothari — also a former world billiards champion — and daughter Shreya Kothari. Kothari, the current chief national coach, was being treated at a Tirunelveli hospital for more than a week and suffered cardiac arrest around 7.30am, the family member said. His cremation took place on Monday evening near Tirunelveli. Long before Sourav etched his name among India’s modern greats in cue sports, the foundations of that legacy were laid by Kothari, himself a former world champion and a towering personality in Indian billiards for more than three decades. Kothari rose to global prominence after winning the IBSF World Billiards Championship in 1990, a title that placed him firmly among the elite of the sport and marked India’s growing stature on the world billiards map. He added another …

Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari dies at 67

Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari dies at 67

Published by Webster

Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari passed away on Monday morning at the age of 67 following a massive cardiac arrest at a hospital in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. He had recently undergone a liver transplant and was recovering before developing a lung infection, which led to complications. Kothari was one of India’s most accomplished cue sports players and a towering figure in billiards for over two decades. He achieved global recognition in 1990 when he won the World Billiards Championship, a landmark moment that placed Indian billiards firmly on the international map. Known for his precision, temperament and longevity, Kothari also dominated the domestic circuit, winning the state championship title on 16 occasions during his career. In recognition of his sustained contribution to Indian sport, Kothari was conferred with the Dhyan Chand Award in 2005, the country’s highest honour for lifetime achievement in sports and games. His influence extended beyond titles, with many younger players crediting him for raising professional standards and competitiveness within the sport. Earlier this year, Kothari was honoured with a Lifetime …

Sourav Kothari pockets 2025 IBSF World Billiards Title

Sourav Kothari pockets 2025 IBSF World Billiards Title

Published by Webster

Sourav Kothari displayed vintage billiards and stellar composure to claim the The 2025 IBSF World Billiards Championship Carlow, Ireland on Wednesday. In an all-India summit clash, Kothari got the better of old rival and the much heralded Pankaj Advani 725-480 to pocket the world title. This is Kothari’s second world title. 🚨 #News | Sourav Kothari wins the 2025 IBSF World Billiards Championships🏆 👉Kothari eclipsed the fancied Pankaj Advani in the summit clash.#billiards #ibsf pic.twitter.com/4aTYVdr3JQ — The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) April 16, 2025 The final witnessed thrilling battle between two top contenders from India. It was a clash of styles with Pankaj Advani’s finesse and break-building control facing off against Sourav Kothari’s tactical aggression and scoring power. Kothari, who came to the final holding the highest break of 490 in this tournament, which he crafted during the group stage matches, continued his fine form and ensured that there was no door ajar for Advani. The 2025 IBSF World Billiards Championship was played in a ‘Timed Format’ which demands both precision and strategic endurance from the participants. …

Victorious and hungry for more

Victorious and hungry for more

Published by Webster

February has been a busy month for Pankaj Advani. At Indore, he secured two national titles: his 36th title in Billiards and a 10th in Snooker. He then landed in Bengaluru, only to find that the airline had misplaced his coveted cue, a mere two days before his scheduled departure to Doha for the Asian Snooker Championships. Undeterred, he got to Qatar, swept the competition and pocketed his third Asian Snooker title, all while sporting his trademark smile. Having been on the competition circuit for over two decades and after having won innumerable titles, this writer couldn’t resist the temptation of asking how many of those triumphs he still recalled. Advani is quick to reply – “Every single one of them.” Keeping the flag flying Having last won the Asian Snooker Championships in 2021, Advani is understandably elated. “It feels great to lift an international title for India,” he tells The Bridge via telephone. Representing the country has always been paramount for the Bengaluru-based professional. So much so that when a fan on social media …

Pankaj Advani clinches 36th national snooker title

Pankaj Advani clinches 36th national snooker title

Published by Webster

Pankaj Advani continued his reign in Indian cue sports, securing his 36th national title and 10th men’s snooker crown with a commanding 5-1 victory over Brijesh Damani in the final at the Yashwant Club in Madhya Pradesh. The triumph also guarantees a place for the stalwart at the upcoming Asian and World Championships. High stakes Despite dropping the opening frame, Advani responded brilliantly. He controlled the table from thereon, leaving Damani with no room for a comeback. Sealing the win in style, he registered a decisive 84 break in the final frame. “Since this is the only event that determines the representatives of the country for international tournaments, the stakes were high,” Advani said. The victory was particularly special as it avenged his group-stage defeat to Damani, where he had managed to win only one frame. Comeback and domination The tables turned in the final as Advani dropped just a single frame on his way to the title. A defining moment in his campaign came in the round of 48, where he found himself on …

“Phenomenal”: PM Narendra Modi Lauds India’s Billiards World Champion Pankaj Advani

“Phenomenal”: PM Narendra Modi Lauds India’s Billiards World Champion Pankaj Advani

Published by Webster

File photo of Pankaj Advani© X (Twitter) New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated veteran billiards player Pankaj Advani for securing the 2024 World Billiards Championship, saying that the player has demonstrated what excellence is from time to time. Thirty nine-year-old Advani secured his 28th world title during the IBSG World Billiards Championship in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday. He defeated England’s Robert Hall in the final. This win also marks his seventh successive world title win in the sport. PM Modi lauded the cueist for his “dedication, passion and commitment”. “Phenomenal accomplishment! Congratulations to you. Your dedication, passion and commitment are outstanding. You have time and again demonstrated what excellence is. Your success will also keep inspiring upcoming athletes. @PankajAdvani247,” PM Modi posted on X. Phenomenal accomplishment! Congratulations to you. Your dedication, passion and commitment are outstanding. You have time and again demonstrated what excellence is. Your success will also keep inspiring upcoming athletes.@PankajAdvani247 https://t.co/VIDTedsR7b — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2024 International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) had …

Pankaj Advani Bags Record 28th World Billiards Title

Pankaj Advani Bags Record 28th World Billiards Title

Published by Webster

Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani clinched a historic 28th world title, seventh in a row, defeating England’s Robert Hall 4-2 at the IBSF World Billiards Championship in Doha on Saturday. Advani’s winning streak had begun in 2016 and has also survived two years (2020, 2021) of vacuum created by the Covid-19 pandemic. Hall took an early lead in the opening frame, but the Indian rallied to reach the magic 150 first. He then delivered an astonishing unfinished 147 break in the second frame, leaving Hall stunned. The third frame was a masterclass in tactical brilliance from both finalists. Advani emerged victorious in the cerebral duel, positioning himself just one frame away from making history. However, Hall refused to bow out quietly, crafting a flawless 151 break in the fourth frame to keep his hopes alive. The fifth frame saw Hall on fire once more, delivering another stunning 154 break to level the pressure on Advani. But the Bengaluru man elevated his game in the sixth frame with a crucial century break. After a …

Pankaj Advani wins his 18th Billiards World Title

Pankaj Advani wins his 18th Billiards World Title

Published by Webster

Pankaj Advani, the marquee Indian cueist, clinched his 18th World Billiards Title at the 2024 IBSF 150-up Billiards Championships in Doha, Qatar on Saturday. He claimed the title with a 4-2 victory against Robert Hall of England in the final. This was his seventh successive title at the 150-Up format of the IBSF Billiards Championship. Pankaj started the match in a dominating fashion and won the first three frames of the match (151-94, 151-0, 150-84). However, then Hall won two consecutive frames to Hall (151-74, 151-6) to keep his hopes alive in the match. The 39-year-old Indian came back strong in the sixth frame, winning it comfortably with a margin of 152-46 to confirm his victory in the tournament. With this, he is now a 28-time International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World champion with 18 Billiards titles, one World Team Billiards title, and 9 titles across Various snooker competitions. Earlier, another Indian player Sourav Kothari settled with the bronze medal in the 150-up competition after losing his semi-final match (2-4) to Pankaj. On the …

Pankaj Advani outclass Causier to retain CCI billiards crown

Published by Webster

Current double World champion Pankaj Advani continued to rule at the Cricket Club of India. The dapper Advani was in outstanding form as he constructed two humungous breaks of 801 and 460 to smother the challenge from Englishman David Causier by charging to a 1836-743 victory in a lop-sided four-hour final of the All India CCI Billiards Classic 2024, played at the CCI’s Wilson Jones billiards hall on Sunday. At the end of the first two-hour session Advani enjoyed a slender lead of 593-570 and was on a break of 204, which he converted to a 460. This was Advani’s fourth successive triumph at this venue. He claimed the CCI Snooker Classic over the last two years and now retained the billiards title. The Bengaluru-based Advani, the country’s most decorated green baize player, and proud owner of 27 World titles, was in domineering mood and quashed the aspirations of the former 10-time World champion from England. Advani, in workmanlike fashion went about his task of building those massive breaks which knocked the fight out of …

Legendary Pankaj Advani inducted into Billiards Hall of Fame

Published by Webster

Legendary Indian cueist Pankaj Advani was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the World Billiards Museum in Shangrao City in China adding to his long list of milestones in his glorious career on Tuesday. Last November, the 38-year-old Indian star won his 26th IBSF (the International Billiards and Snooker Federation) title after beating compatriot Sourav Kothari who had threatened his chances early on in the billiards’ long-format contest. “I am deeply honoured to join the Hall of Fame at the World Billiards Museum. The love and support I’ve received throughout this incredible journey have been overwhelming and I’m extremely grateful for it,” Advani said. Advani’s unparalleled skill, unwavering dedication, and remarkable achievements have strengthened his status as one of the greatest champions in the history of billiards. “I am grateful to represent our country and the entire billiards community. I’ll continue working hard and dedicate myself to the sport and do my best to make everyone proud,” he added. His journey to the Hall of Fame is a testament to his relentless pursuit of …