Pankaj Advani eyes hat-trick glory at 2024 Asian Billiards Championship

The 2024 Asian Billiards Championships, the most prestigious billiards tournament, is set to kick off from Monday, 2nd July, 2024, in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia. The tournament will end on 5th July. The tournament is set to showcase top-tier talent from across Asia, including India’s own billiards maestros—Pankaj Advani, Sourav Kothari, and Dhruv Sitwala—who are all poised to lead the Indian challenge.

Among them, the legendary Pankaj Advani, a beacon of excellence in cue sports, has his sights firmly set on achieving a hat-trick of Asian Billiards Titles. The Bengaluru-based cueist begins his campaign on July 2nd, aiming to add another feather to his illustrious career. 

Advani’s brilliant resume at the Asian Championships is nothing short of extraordinary, with titles in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2023. His prowess isn’t limited to billiards alone; he has also clinched Asian Snooker titles in 2016, 2019, and 2021, along with an Asian Team Snooker title in 2017.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Advani shared his excitement. He said, “Traveling to Saudi Arabia for the first time for an international tournament is exciting and thrilling. The Asian Billiards Championship, an annual event, features the 100-points format, which is both tricky and exhilarating due to its brevity. Unlike traditional billiards formats, this one leaves no room for complacency. It’s a high-stakes game from the get-go, and you can never predict the winner until the very end.”

“While I’ve enjoyed success over the years, I try to remain grounded and focused as I understand the unpredictable nature of sport. The field is packed with formidable competitors from India, Thailand, Myanmar, and Singapore, making it a fiercely contested championship,” he added.

This year has been especially significant for Advani, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the World Billiards Museum in Shangrao City, China. Reflecting on this honour, he said, “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a profound honour. Representing India on the global stage is an immense pride for me as an individual, and I am committed to working hard to bring more accolades to our country,” he signed off.