Exclusive! Pankaj Advani's secret to success - Deal with stress and dream big

Pankaj Advani. Pictures Courtesy/ PR

Star Indian cueist Pankaj Advani grabbed his 24th World title when he triumphed at the IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Cup with a victory over Pakistan's Babar Masih in the final last week on September 21.

Pankaj Advani, who won his 11th Asian title as well, started the final with a comfortable 42-13 win in the opening frame. Babar drew parity by winning the second 38-14.

The 24-time World champion, in a tete-a-tete with mid-day.com, talked about his approach to the final and his emotions after the win. He also discussed his mindset before a game as well as why he pursued snooker as a career.

Excerpts:

1- Was there any pressure and a game plan going into the final?
In every big game of a tournament, be it the quarters, semis or finals, there's pressure. The start of a final is crucial as the player who takes a lead initially, settles down faster. My safety play has been my biggest weapon throughout the last 2 weeks, giving me the edge to force errors from opponents.

2- What were the emotions running through you after you clinched the World Snooker Championship?
At the start of the World 6 Reds Cup, I was high on confidence since I had won the Asian Snooker Championship a day ago. However, the 6 reds snooker format is highly unpredictable so there was no favourite for the title. The moment I won the World Cup I felt grateful, elated and relieved to get through against my Pakistan rival by a narrow margin!

Also realised that I've been on a winning streak of 29 matches - National and international events combined. Really happy to win for my country after 2 long years!

3- What is your mindset when you approach a game?
I love playing according to the situation instead of going in with preconceived notions and fixed strategies. Just go with the flow, live in the present, enjoy the journey and not worry too much about the result.

4- What's the secret behind your dominance in the sport after so many years?
The hunger to excel, belief in my own ability and passion to grow as an athlete and human has made me consistent I guess. My brother Shree who is a mind coach and sports psychologist has helped me tremendously to handle pressure, deal with stress and dream big.

Mind coaching isn't given much importance in Indian sport and I really feel we need that to achieve true consistency and longevity.

5- What was your inspiration to pursue snooker as a career?
I was introduced to the sport by Shree at the age of 10. I first saw Mr Arvind Savur when I entered the Karnataka State Billiards Association in Bangalore in 1996. Right from that very moment, I knew he was the one who could make me a top player. His knowledge, confidence and flair inspired me to be more.

6- Which would you term as the highlight of your career and why?
My first World title in snooker in 2003 was one of my biggest moments. Nobody gave me a chance at the age of 18 and on debut to lift the IBSF World Championship in China but I defied all odds to win one of the toughest tournaments in the game by defeating a top Pakistani player Mohammed Saleh in the final. I surprised myself then just like I did the last 2 weeks in Doha!

7- What would you advise the youth who would want to pursue snooker professionally?
Only if you love playing cue sport, pursue it. Don't do it for the rewards or recognition. Snooker and billiards transport me to another world. Pursue a profession that brings out the best in you, just like how I feel the game has done for me.

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