In a display of remarkable resilience and emotional fortitude, Sourav Kothari secured the senior men's billiards title at the premier National Championships, dedicating his commanding victory to his late father just days after his passing. The poignant triumph unfolded on Saturday as Kothari delivered a masterful 4-0 win over opponent S Shrikrishna, showcasing both technical brilliance and profound personal significance.
A Tribute to a Champion Father
As Sourav Kothari potted the decisive red into the centre pocket during the fourth frame, sealing his comprehensive victory, he immediately looked heavenwards with a heartfelt gesture that spoke volumes. The emotional champion later confirmed that this hard-fought title was dedicated to his father, Manoj Kothari, a former IBSF world billiards champion who passed away on January 5, mere days before the championships commenced. Overcome by the moment's significance, Kothari broke down in tears shortly after his victory, demonstrating the deep personal meaning behind this competitive achievement.
Dominant Performance Under Emotional Duress
Despite competing under the shadow of profound grief, Sourav Kothari displayed exceptional focus and skill throughout the best-of-seven final. Barring a few nervous moments in the fourth frame when victory was within sight, Kothari maintained complete control of the match from beginning to end. His opponent, S Shrikrishna, who recently played a crucial role in BPCL's dual title win at the inter-unit PSPB tournament, struggled to establish any meaningful rhythm against Kothari's determined play.
Kothari capitalized brilliantly on his rival's errors, beginning with a superb unfinished break of 142 in the opening frame after punishing a simple red in-off. He followed this impressive start with another unfinished effort of 138 in the second frame, then delivered a silken-smooth 150 in the third frame after Shrikrishna broke down on 95. Although his fluency wavered somewhat in the fourth frame, offering Shrikrishna several opportunities for a comeback, Kothari ultimately wrapped up the contest with a series of small but decisive breaks to claim the championship.
Sancheti Continues Impressive Run
Earlier in the day, promising young talent Aarav Sancheti of Maharashtra continued his remarkable championship run by retaining the sub-junior boys' snooker title. The 15-year-old from Pune registered a convincing 3-0 victory over Owais Khan of Madhya Pradesh, securing his third crown in as many days. Having already claimed the junior snooker and sub-junior billiards titles earlier in the tournament, Sancheti now sets his sights on completing an extraordinary haul by adding the junior billiards crown on Sunday.
Sancheti's dominant performance throughout the championships highlights the emergence of exceptional young talent in Indian cue sports, with his technical proficiency and competitive maturity belying his relatively young age. His achievements this week mark him as one of the most promising prospects in the sport's developmental pipeline.
Legacy and Future Prospects
Sourav Kothari's emotional victory represents more than just another championship title in his career. Performing under extreme personal grief, this achievement will undoubtedly rank among his most cherished accomplishments, serving as both a tribute to his father's legacy and a testament to his own competitive spirit. The Kothari family's deep connection to billiards adds layers of meaning to this victory, with Sourav following in the footsteps of his accomplished father while carving his own path to excellence.
For Indian cue sports, these championships have showcased both established excellence and emerging talent, with veterans like Kothari demonstrating championship mettle under difficult circumstances and young players like Sancheti announcing their arrival on the national stage with impressive consistency. The emotional resonance of Kothari's victory, combined with Sancheti's remarkable triple-title pursuit, creates compelling narratives that extend beyond mere competition results.
