New Delhi, July 23: When it comes to billiards and snooker in India, one name stands out: Pankaj Advani. He first tried his hand at the snooker table at just 10 years old, and his career has been nothing short of historic. Advani has claimed a remarkable 28 titles on the world stage.
Born on July 24, 1985, in Pune, Maharashtra, Pankaj grew up in an era when billiards and snooker were not widely recognized in India. However, his passion for the game ignited early on as he watched his older brother play. At the age of 10, he took to the snooker table for the first time, and from that moment, he was hooked.
His first coach, Arvind Savur, a recipient of the Dronacharya Award, played a pivotal role in shaping his skills. Pankaj won his first title at the young age of 17.
In 2003, he secured the IBSF World Snooker Championship, marking the beginning of an illustrious career. Since then, he has never looked back, amassing a total of 28 world titles across both billiards and snooker.
In 2005, Pankaj made history by becoming the first player to complete a Grand Double by winning both the point and time formats of the IBSF World Billiards Championship in the same year. By winning the IBSF World 6-Red Snooker Championship in 2014, he became the first player to triumph in both small and large formats in billiards and snooker.
Pankaj has also shone at the Asian Games, bringing home gold medals for India in 2006 and 2010. His accolades include the Arjuna Award in 2004, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2006, the Padma Shri in 2009, and the Padma Bhushan in 2018. Advani’s achievements have played a crucial role in elevating the status of billiards and snooker in India.
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