Pankaj Advani beats Kamal Chawla to lift 24th national snooker title

Lucknow: World champion Pankaj Advani (PSPB) won his sixth national snooker title with a commanding 6-3 win over Kamal Chawla of Railways in the 81st national snooker championship, in Lucknow on Friday.

Chawla remained a spectator from his chair for larger period of the match as the Bangalore cueist Advani's natural prowess for cue sport, both in snooker and billiards, was proven yet again in the 'City of Nawabs'.

Advani had started the tournament with a break of 145, highest for the championship, and ended the last frame of the championship with a fluent 139.

This was Advani's overall 24th national title and it came against an opponent, whose swift decisions on the table helped him reach the summit clash of the tournament.

In the final, Advani put up a gutsy break of 139 in the ninth frame to seal the issue in his favour. Chawla proved he was worthy of being in the final but fell short against the eight-time world champion.

Advani rose to the occasion of a national level final, delivering mouth-watering breaks of 84, 69, 61, 64 with the final break of 139 being the icing on the cake, thereby providing a dream finish for any sponsor and organiser.

Advani did not disappoint the spectators, who welcomed the champion for his first-ever visit to the city.

Speaking to PTI over phone, Advani dedicated his title triumph to India's women on the eve of the International Women's Day.

"It's always a matter of pride to participate in the Indian National Championship and an absolute delight to win it. I dedicate this title to the Indian woman on the occasion of International Women's Day. They are the true architects of society. This win is in their honour," he said.

Advani's three century breaks in the tournament was testimony to his mastery over the format, which has helped him earn accolades at the Professional circuit.

His toughest challenge came in the semi-final against Dharminder Lilly, the veteran Punjab cueist, against whom Advani rallied from 0-2 down to win the clash 5-3.

Advani now heads to China for the Haikou World Open with fond memories of his victory in the 'City of Nawabs'.