I wanted to win this title by hook or crook: Pankaj Advani

There’s nothing like the joy of giving. Ask Pankaj Advani.

The billiards champion has won every trophy in his field, he’s a multiple world champion, but the sheer ecstasy he felt after winning the Asian Games gold on Sunday is unmatched.

The pride on his face was of the man who knew what joy the yellow metal would bring to a billion of his countrymen back home. He knew his feat was extra special as it was his nation’s first gold at the 16th Games.

“At the last Games (at Doha), I missed becoming the first gold medalist. I have no words to describe the thrill of achieving it this time. Asian Games is like an Olympics for me because billiards is not there in Olympics,” a chuffed Advani said after the medal ceremony.

The 25-year-old Bangalorean successfully defended his gold in the men’s Billiards singles event on Sunday after defeating Nay Thway of Myanmar 3-2 in Guangzhou. “It was the toughest final I have played simply because of the responsibility I was carrying. I was aware that everyone was expecting a gold. It was mentally very challenging,” Advani admitted. “I wanted this gold very, very badly. I wanted to win it by hook or crook.”

Compared to his high standards, Advani hasn’t got the results this season in major championships. He lost in the World pro billiards championships in Leeds and the IBSF World billiards in Pune. “It makes up for everything. It’s the icing on the cake. I waited for it a long time and it is worth the wait.”

Advani admitted he had not played his best against the Myanmar players as he uncharacteristically missed some easy pots. One of the easiest miss was at 64-45 in the final frame, when he messed up pocketing the red ball.
“I cannot think of any other reason than pressure as to why I missed so many easy ones. On such a big occasion, there is so much going on in the brain that I wish one could scan my brain and clear all the mess.

“But, anytime I would take it not playing well and winning, rather than playing well and losing, because in Asian Games and Olympics, winning is everything.”

Back in India, no one is complaining.