Kolkata's Sourav Kothari achieved a remarkable feat by winning the IBSF World Billiards Championship (time format) for the second consecutive year. The final took place late Tuesday night in Carlow, Ireland, where Kothari defeated his longtime rival, multiple world champion Pankaj Advani, with a commanding score of 1133-477.
Back-to-Back World Titles
Last year, Sourav had fulfilled a lifelong dream by emulating his father, the legendary Indian cueist Manoj Kothari, who became world champion in 1990. This year, the repeat victory came at the same venue and against the same opponent, making the achievement even more special. Sourav displayed exceptional dominance, surpassing his previous performance with ruthless precision.
Match Highlights
The 41-year-old opened the match with a sizzling break of 485 in response to Advani's 141. He took just one hour and two minutes to compile this mammoth break. Throughout the three-hour battle, Sourav delivered stunning runs of 485, 121, 90, 241, and an unfinished 155, completely overwhelming Advani.
After securing the victory, Sourav pointed towards the sky, sending his love and gratitude to his coach and father, whom he lost in January this year. It was an emotional journey for Sourav, who overcame grief to be crowned national billiards champion for the fourth time just days after his father's demise.
A Tribute to His Father
This victory holds deep personal significance for Sourav, as he dedicated the win to his father's memory. He had previously spoken about how his father's guidance shaped his career, and this triumph serves as a fitting tribute to the legendary cueist.
