Be it National championships, World Championships, or Asian Championship, Indian snooker player has got every title in his kitty. Unarguably, world’s number one Billiards and Snooker player, Pankaj Advani holds as many as 22 World Championship titles to his name.
Recently, the Indian snooker has won his 22 world championship, beating the local favourite Nay Thway Oo 6-2 in the final and thereby winning the IBSF World Championship for the fourth consecutive year in the Billiards short format (150-up).
“It’s such a touch-and-go format and so unpredictable that winning these four years on the trot and five out of the last six is extremely special.” Pankaj said after the victory.
EARLY LIFE:
Born on 24th July 1985, Pankaj lived in Pune for a brief period before moving to Bangalore. He completed his schooling from Frank Anthony Public School, Bangalore and then pursued his Bachelor’s in commerce from Shri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jail College.
Pankaj was introduced to the sport by his elder brother Dr. Shree Advani who himself was noted Sported and Performance Psychologist.
It was former national Snooker champion Arvind Savur, who first took notice of Pankaj’s talent in the sport. Pankaj started receiving the training from Arvind at the age of 10. He won his first-ever title at the age of 12 and went on to set several records at the state and national levels.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER:
Pankaj Advani won his first junior Billiards championship title in 2000 and repeated the feat again in 2001 and 2003.
Indian snooker player won his first National Junior Snooker championship in 2003, becoming the youngest National snooker champion.
Pankaj Advani made his International debut at Asian Billiards Championship in 2002, held at Bangalore. He finished runner-up in that event. He won his first International title at Amateur World Snooker Championship, held in 2003, followed by IBSF World Billiards Championship in 2005. He replicated this feat in 2008, winning the title for the second time.
By then, he became the youngest player to win all five National, regional, and World billiards tournaments in a single season after winning the he Indian Junior National Championship and Senior National Championship, the Asian Billiards Championship, and both the World Billiards Championship (point format) and World Billiards Championship (time format).
WHEN HE WON FIFTH ASIAN BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIP:
In the year 2012, Pankaj Advani became the first player ever to hold five Asian Billiards Championship title after winning the Asian Billiards Championship, held in Goa.
PANKAJ ADVANI BAGGING ASIAN 6-RED SNOOKER TITLE:
Pankaj Advani made history after winning the Asian 6-Red Snooker title in the year 2016. He became the first player in the world to hold the world title as well as the continental title at the same time after beating Malaysian Keen Hoh Moh 7–5.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
2018
- 2018 World Billiards Championship (Long Up) – Gold
- 2018 World Billiards Championship (150 Up)- Gold
- 10 Red Snooker Asian Tour- Gold
- IBSF – ACBS World Team Cup
2017
- IBSF World Snooker Championship
- IBSF World Billiards Championship (150 Up)
2016
- IBSF World Billiards Championship (150-Up)
2015
- IBSF World Snooker Championship
- IBSF World 6-Red Snooker Championship
- IBSF World Billiards Championship (timed)
2014
- IBSF World 6-Red Snooker Championship
- World Team Billiards Championship
- IBSF World Billiards Championship (timed and 150-up)
2012
- World Billiards Championship (timed)
- Asian Billiards Championship
2010
- Asian Games Gold Medallist – English Billiards Singles (first Gold Medal for India)
- Asian Billiards Championship
2009
- World Professional Billiards Championship
- Asian Billiards Championship
2008
- IBSF World Billiards Championship (both formats – timed and points) (repeated 2005 achievement and first ever again to win 2 twin formats)
- Asian Billiards Championship
2007
- IBSF World Billiards Championship (timed)
2006
- Asian Games Gold Medallist – English Billiards singles
2005
- IBSF World Billiards Championship (both formats – timed and points) (first person to ever achieve this)
- Asian Billiards Championship
- India Billiards Championship
- India Junior Snooker Championship
- India Junior Billiards Championship
- WSA Challenge Tour
2004
- WSA Challenge Tour
2003
- IBSF World Snooker Championship
- Indian Junior Billiards Championship
- Indian Junior Snooker Championship
2001
- Indian Junior Billiards Championship
2000
- Indian Junior Billiards Championship
HONOURS AND AWARDS:
- Pankaj Advani was bestowed with Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour in 2018.
- He was awarded Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour, in 2005–06.
- The Indian snooker player was also presented with Rajyotsava Award, Karnataka’s highest civilian award in 2007.
- Advani was given Karnataka’s “Kempegowda Award” in 2007.
- Advani received Ekalavya Award in the year 2007.
- Pankaj Advani was awarded Vision of India’s “International Indian” Award in 2005.
- Pankaj Advani was the Senior Sportsperson of the Year in 2005.
- Pankaj Advani was bestowed with the Bangalore University Sportsperson of the Year, 2005
- Pankaj Advani was given the Hero India Sports Award (HISA) in 2004
- He received the Arjuna Award and Rajeev Gandhi award in 2004.
- Advani was presented with Indo-American Young Achiever’s Award and the Sports Star Sportsperson of the Year in 2003.
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
- Full Name: Pankaj Arjan Advani
- Nickname: The Golden Boy
- Father’s name: Arjan Advani
- Mother’s name: Kajal Advani
- Brother’s name: Dr. Shree Advani
- Date of Birth: 24th July, 1985
- Age: 34
- Birth Place: Pune (Maharashtra)
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Nationality: Indian
- Hometown: Bangalore
- School: Frank Anthony Public School
- College: SBM Jain College
- Religion: Hinduism
- Height: 5’8
- Weight: 65kg
- Eye Colour: Black
- Hair Colour: Black
CONTROVERSY:
In the year 2017, Pankaj Advani expressed his displeasure to the Sports minister over not been considered for Padma Bhushan after winning 16 world titles and two Asian Golds.
After winning the national title in Pune in 2017, the sports minister took to twitter to congratulate the Pankaj, to which the snooker athlete vented out his disappointment as he replied,”Thank you sir. Just feel after 16 world titles and two Asian Games golds if I’m ignored for a Padma Bhushan, don’t know what more I need to do.”
NET WORTH:
Pankaj Advani’s estimated net worth in 2019 is aggregated to 7million dollars.
SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PankajAdvaniIndia/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pankajadvaniofficial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PankajAdvani247
