World billiards champion Pankaj Advani talks to MiD DAY as he turns 25

In India's crazy sporting world where cricket often takes over everything else, we sometimes forget that we have a multiple current world champion in Pankaj Advani.



The Bangalore man has all the credentials to be Indian sport's pride and joy with seven world billiards titles in his bag.

Last April, Advani created history when he became the only cueist to win a hat-trick of Asian Billiards.

He achieved the incredible when he beat Singapore's Peter Gilchrist in a thrilling final at Indore.

In a freewheeling birthday interview (he turns 25 today), Advani talks about life on and off his field of expertise.

Excerpts:
I am a Leo...
I don't know about 25 candles on the cake, but my favourite 25 people will be around me on my 25th birthday. However, half my day will be spent on a flight. I am going to Indore for the qualifying rounds of the Asian Cup.

I started playing billiards...
At the age of 10. I was the shortest player (I was called Tingoo) who went on to win seven World Championship titles. It has been an incredible journey. Once I began playing snooker and billiards, badminton and TT took a backseat.