Pankaj Advani is a multiple-time world champion and has won several national and international titles in both billiards and snooker.
Pankaj Advani has excelled in various disciplines including 6-red snooker, 15-red snooker and English billiards, demonstrating his adaptability and mastery in each format.
Pankaj Advani is a renowned Indian cueist who has established himself as one of the leading figures in the world of cue sports. Born on July 24, 1985 in Pune, India, Advani began his career in billiards and snooker at a young age, demonstrating exceptional talent and a remarkable aptitude for the game.
Advani’s list of achievements is indeed impressive. He is a multiple-time world champion and has won several national and international titles in both billiards and snooker. His exceptional skill, precision and strategic skills have earned him wide acclaim and recognition in the cue sports community.
What sets Advani apart is his versatility across different formats of the game. He has excelled in a variety of disciplines including 6-red snooker, 15-red snooker and English billiards, demonstrating his adaptability and mastery in each format. Their success has made India very proud and has contributed to the growth and popularity of cue sports in the country.
- Billiards has a rich history and has evolved over time. How have you seen the game change or progress over the course of your career and what impact has it had on the game?
Billiards and snooker have been played globally for a very long time. In the old days, the traditional long format was more popular in competitive cue sports events. In the 1990s the final of the World Billiards Championship was played over a period of 8 hours. I remember playing the final of the World Championship in 2005 and again in 2008 for over 6 hours. However, in the last decade the game has been played in more shorter, clearer and more unpredictable formats. The 100-mark format makes it anybody’s game. Similarly to snooker, the 6 reds format has gained popularity to spice up the competition and break away from the traditional 15 reds game. Overall, the demand for quick results and fast-paced matches has led Q Sports to move to shorter formats and games to increase participation and viewership.
- How has your lifestyle contributed to your success as a sports personality, especially in your area of expertise?
I started this sport when I was only 10 years old! It became a part of my life only during my academic career. Time was very precious as after school hours, I used to make sure that I get 2 hours of practice to pursue my passion which later turned into a profession. I don’t drink or smoke and have never had a crazy social life during the first 5-7 years of my journey in the sport. My ‘high’ came from excelling and winning at billiards and snooker. With time, I have managed to strike a balance between my personal and professional life. The sport requires extreme focus and concentration so I try to take as much physical and mental rest as I can to give myself a chance to perform well.
- Can you share some insight into your daily routine and your diet and how it helps you maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle while pursuing a demanding sports career?
A cueist needs to be flexible and stable at the same time. I have 3 sessions of workout in a week which mainly cater to my core stability, endurance and flexibility. Working on my hand-eye coordination helps me prepare especially well for sports that require you to set in motion a stationary ball. Meditation is something that I have started doing daily since the beginning of the year. Apart from increasing focus, it has made me more patient and calm as a person. During tournaments, I avoid rich, fatty foods unless I have no choice! No cooked food for breakfast. One thing that has kept me light and fast is that I never eat much.
- How do you manage to strike a balance between your personal life and the rigorous training and competition schedule of a professional sports career?
Earlier, it was all about studying in school/college and practicing billiards and snooker. I didn’t have time for anything else. I competed in almost every competition either to win a trophy or to gain exposure or improve my ranking. Now, I have reached a stage where I am picking and choosing tournaments to strike a healthy balance between my personal life and professional commitments. Taking short breaks from sports, spending time with family and friends and creating some ‘me time’ has enabled me to de-stress and eventually return to training/competition with renewed vigour.
- In terms of mental and emotional well-being, what strategies or practices do you employ to stay focused, motivated, and resilient in the face of challenges and pressure?
Luckily, my family has been a pillar of strength and support. My brother Shree is a sports psychologist and has contributed immensely to my mental strength over the last 2 decades. We work on how to deal with anxiety before a big match, how to approach a tournament and how to have a positive mindset when things get rough. My mother taught me that if you lose a match, it is not the end of the world. Also, one should give their best and be honest in what they do. I focus on my breathing under pressure, occasionally take my mind off the competition or the result between matches, defocus and then get back to the table to perform with fresh eyes and perspective . Success and failure are two sides of the same coin. My mantra has been to focus on the process rather than the result.