Pankaj Advani, 7 times World Champion is iSport's Athlete of the Month. Fresh after his World Pro Billiards victory, Pankaj shares thoughts on his game & more. Movie rumours aside, is he also planning an autobiography? Read on.
Your list of Indian, Asian and World Titles is exhaustive and your expertise in Snooker and Billiards is unquestionable. How did you pick up cue sports in the first place? Any early indications that you had which led you to pursuing the sport?
A: Actually I always wanted to be a pilot so that I could see the world. Cue sports happened by chance when I followed my brother Shree to the pool parlour and instantly got mesmerized by it. When I couldn’t take watching my brother and his friends play, I wanted to have a crack at the game myself and it took me all but just one ‘clean pot’ to get me hooked permanently. I now still get to see the world and beat it. [Laughs]
All of 24 and you already have 7 World titles to your name and will be pursuing your 8th World Title in November in Hyderabad. Has the journey been smooth or filled with obstacles that you successfully overcame to become the champion that you are?
A: No success comes without obstacles and I have had my fair share of them. The toughness and achievement come only due to those obstacles. One of my secrets of success is to treat the obstacles as a stepping stone rather than a hinderance.
You have been on the circuit for more than a decade now. You must possess tremendous mental strength to keep up the same high performance throughout. Do you have a coach or trainer who helps you in maintaining the psychological composure needed by a cueist?
A: My coach Arvind Savur made me believe in my abilities at a very early age. He kept saying ‘I will make you a World Champion one day’, while my only aim at that point was to be a State Champion and I have never lived in self doubt since then. That is the power of positive subconscious programming. My brother Shree, who is also pursuing his Ph.D. in behavourial psychology often tries his experiments on me and somehow they seem to be working! 
Its also known that you don't speak to many during or between tournaments- anyone specific who you can communicate your inter tournament anxiety or excitement?
A: I usually spend the evening with my fellow cueists; most specifically Dhruv Sitwala, who is a top cueist and usually my room-mate. We discuss our games by the end of each day and I make the odd call to Mom or Shree.
Going by your last few Titles, you have defeated the same opponents over and again. Do you feel the lack of quality competition?
A: I have been playing the best in the world and beating them on a regular basis. That’s a testament to my consistency which is one of my strengths. I played the legendary Mike Russell for the first time in the World Pro Finals and ended up winning by an unimaginable margin – this after many of my critics had written me off for not playing regularly in England. And to be honest my practice regimen this year has been substandard. This instills further confidence in my natural abilities.
Having grown up in Bangalore and studied in the same city, was it difficult to manage studies and your sport or you sailed through comfortably through all those school and college years?
A: Fortunately, I had very encouraging Principals in school and college, who gave me as much leave required to travel and compete in tournaments. Special classes and attention was given to me and such support was responsible for my success in academics – scoring a first class with distinction throughout.
Niche sports like billiards and snookers often don’t have takers in a country like ours where cricket rules every sphere related to sports. Were your parents supportive of your interest or you had to convince them?
A: I never planned to make a career out of this and sometimes still wonder if I want to pursue this as a full time profession. But I do realize that sports are now a viable career option and thankfully my folks allowed me to pursue my passion uninterruptedly.
When you are not at the snooker table, what hobbies do you fancy? Perhaps like reading books, watching films or any other activities that keep you entertained. Do you have any pets? Do you read books of other famous personalities?
A: I watch the occasional film, but I most enjoy spending time with my family and friends over a cuppa or a meal. I have been gifted books in the past few years and I have been successful in gathering maximum possible dust on them. But someday I do hope to finish ‘The Power of Now’ – which co-incidentally is what I actually practice without having read it fully.
Lewis Hamilton, Lance Armstrong, Michael Schumacher, Michael Phelps- all great champions of their sport have their autobiographies for their fans, any similar plans for you?
A: I haven’t even finished a book and you want me to write one? But seriously, it’s a good thought and maybe sometime in the near future I will. Help me with a catchy title, will you?
Lastly, with a record like the one you possess in your area of expertise i.e. cue sports, there must be plenty of women who are willing to tie the knot with a more than eligible bachelor. Do you have many female fans and how do you handle the attention?
A: Marriage is a few steps and years away. In the real world, I enjoy the attention as anyone would. However, virtually I am not as active and if there are any female fans there, drop me a message on iSport!
Any message for iSport and its readers?
A: You guys are probably the most efficient sports website in terms of content and ideas. This is exactly the kind of website Indian sports fan needs. Keep iSport-ing!
We at iSport are going to personally deliver your wishes to Pankaj Advani - please feel free to leave your wishes in the comments section below.
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Amit P
said:
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... Bravo Pankaj! Your achievements far surpass those of many other Indian athletes. You swell our heart with pride. Good luck for future! |
a guest
said:
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... I think u are the undoubtedly the most consistent & TOP sportsman India has EVER seen! Keep up the good work :) |
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