IBSF World Billiards Championship | Pankaj Advani defeats Mike Russell to clinch 17th title

IBSF World Billiards Championship | Pankaj Advani defeats Mike Russell to clinch 17th title

no photo

Star Indian cueist Pankaj Advani won his 17th world title on Sunday as he defeated England’s Mike Russell 6-2 (0-155, 150-128, 92-151, 151-0, 151-6, 151-0, 150-58, 150-21) in the IBSF World Billiards Championship. He will challenge the 'Grand Double' in the lengthier format (long-up) next.

Pankaj Advani, the winner of the maximum number of world titles in any sport by an Indian, added one more feather to his hat on Sunday as he overcame his arch-rival Mike Russell with a clinical display. The ace cueist now has 17 world titles.

Despite not making an ideal start to the best-of-11 summit clash where the Englishman drew first blood with a beautifully crafted break of 155, Advani drew parity in the next frame though far from his best display. Russel returned with breaks of 84 and 67 to win the last frame to his name in the final.

However, Advani started the fourth frame in great form clinically constructing lethal breaks of 151, 151, 151, 145 and 110 to beat his rival. At the end, he won 6-2 (0-155, 150-128, 92-151, 151-0, 151-6, 151-0, 150-58, 150-21), defending the 150-up format title that he had won in Bengaluru last year.

Advani had defeated compatriot Rupesh Shah 5-2 in the semi-finals of the tournament, while Russell got the better of Singapore's Peter Gilchrist 5-1. Advani will next be challenging a 'Grand Double' in the lengthier format (long-up) of the championship which starts on Monday in Doha. 

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all