Ace cueist Pankaj Advani has been on a winning streak. He recently won his 24th world title at the IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Cup held in Doha.
It feels great when you are on a winning streak, says Advani.
The unbeaten run that started with the National Championship in 2020 has lasted over one and a half years. He has won 29 matches in a row.
“Winning back-to-back after such a gap feels amazing. For me putting India on the world map is a huge high,” he says.
In an interview with THE WEEK, Advani attributes his success to his wife. “I think my wife is my lucky charm,” he says.
Excerpts from the interview:
What makes your recent win special?
It is special for many reasons. Firstly, the long gap. I am playing after two years. There weren’t any international tournaments during this time.
During the pandemic, we got to play for a few months and then there was the lockdown. It was a very different phase in life. Our priority was not even sports. Health became the priority.
Winning the IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Cup is a truly special feeling. Personally, also, it is a great feeling because I got married three months ago. Winning after getting married is all the more special. I think my wife is my lucky charm.
How did you prepare for the tournament, physically and mentally?
I practised really hard during the last few months. Snooker is really a technical sport. It is hard to get that fluidity, fluency and rhythm back after a break.
I don’t think I played my best during these events. All the practice that I put in before the pandemic and the continuous practice during the last month helped me win. I think this is the most underprepared event I ever played.
What role did your wife play in this win?
She is from Mumbai. I did a lot of my practice in Mumbai.
My wife is very supportive of my career. She understands that while at work, one should not be disturbed. She is also a career-oriented person like me. During the lockdown, she had more work than me and I would give her her space.
She pushes me to work harder and do better with my career and build my brand. She has that understanding of when to be involved and when not to interfere.
Are you back in Bengaluru?
Not yet. I had to travel to Delhi. Then I came to Mumbai. I have been on the move constantly.
Tell us about your upcoming events.
The World Snooker Championship is happening at the end of November. The selection tournament for that will take place in mid-October.
