ONGC-IBSF World Billiards Championship 2008 :: Bangalore - India

01 - 10 September 2008

The Gods came visiting again at the McDowell billiards hall of the KSBA complex here on Wednesday on the concluding day of the ONGC sponsored IBSF World time format billiards championship even as the defending champion, "the wonder boy of Indian billiards", Pankaj Advani of India, not only retained the crown won last year, but also made it a double delight for his fans in the process of recording an eventful victory over country mate Devendra Joshi by 2368 - 2022 points in a top notch final spread over three sessions of two hours each for a total of six hours.

As if endowed by a divine grace, this unassuming lad was in absolute command right from the start. A break of 219 on the very third visit for starters was followed by a triple century, a break of 327 on the seventh visit and again in continuation a break of 231 on the tenth and a break of 274 on the fifteenth ensured him a mammoth lead of 1274-154 points after the first two hours session. A session lead which eventually won him the title.

But the soft touch exponent from Mumbai, Joshi was not to be denied his share of the divinity on this day. Exhibiting a feline cue - delivery and a beautiful rhythm he rallied magnificently to stage a grand recovery in the second session of the match. It was Joshi's turn to excel and thrill the packed audience. Two triple centuries, a break of 338 on the twenty eighth and a break of 364 on the thirtieth visit were the hallmarks of a classy performance.

Pankaj struck another well crafted break of 289 on his thirty first visit to re - establish a good lead of 1812-1033 at the end of the second session. However, what followed in the third and final session was just amazing. Suddenly, Joshi reached his peak concentration. Trailing by 983 points with about an hour to go, he was transformed into another world. Caressing the balls and coaxing them to a nicety, Joshi piled points over points to cross the 500 mark for the best break of the high quality match.

When he had reached 557, a momentary lapse in his trance and tragedy befell. He missed a regulation pot of the red in the top pocked with the object ball ideally placed. Had he continued this gigantic effort he could have altered the verdict. But it was not to be. Destiny cannot be changed. Joshi will have to wait for his moment of glory which is bound to come if he persists and perseveres the way he did today.

A vital break of 100 secured the crown for Pankaj, the darling of the" young India ", Nevertheless, Joshi deserves equal praise, if not more, for the tenacity, grace and skill that he displayed on this fateful day which will surely be ranked among the best shows in recent past in a cue sports final. A great contest where there was no loser, only two winners. Hail! Pankaj, Hail! Joshi ! the future of billiards is very much alive and kicking. Amen !

CSI Correspondent - I S Malik