Advani wins gold in Asian Games Billiards singles

Guangzhou: Defending champion Pankaj Advani notched up India’s first gold medal in this edition of the Asian Games in men’s Billiards singles event after defeating Oo Nay Thway Oo of Myanmar 3-2 here today.

The former world professional champion Advani beat Nay Thway with frames of 33-100, 100-61, 12-101, 101-4, 100-45 in the summit clash here.

Earlier in the day, Advani beat another Myanmar cueist Oo Kyaw Oo 3-2 in the semifinals. The 25-year-old Bangalorean beat Kyaw with frames of 100-28, 0-100, 100-77, 11-100, 101-0.

Advani won his first world championship title in 2003 IBSF World Snooker Championship in China.

Advani, who is the only player to have achieved a grand double of winning both the points and timed formats at the IBSF World Billiards Championships 2005, repeated the same feat at the 2008 Championships held in Bangalore.