BILLIARDS
Pankaj Advani wins silver medal at WBL World Matchplay Billiards Championship
Pankaj Advani, India’s most decorated cueist, settled for a silver medal after a narrow defeat against David Causier in the final of the WBL World Matchplay Billiards Championship in New Delhi.
In a best-of-15 contest, where fortunes swung from one side to another, Advani started off with a 2-0 lead but his opponent clawed his way back in the summit clash played at Carlow, Ireland.
Both the players fought intensely but the Briton clinched the decider to win the game 8-7 (19-100, 0-100, 100-47, 100-52, 19-100, 100-0, 49-100, 100-3, 34-100, 4-100, 100-85, 31-100, 100-53, 100-43, 100-28).
Advani will now look to defend his IBSF World Billiards title, which he has been winning since 2016, from Sunday here.
The upcoming world championship will be conducted in the timed format in which big breaks are expected from players from all over the world.
-PTI
HOCKEY
Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and Punjab through to Senior Men’s Hockey Championship semifinals
Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and Punjab won their quarterfinal ties to progress ahead in the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025 taking place in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.
Players in action during the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025 in Jhansi.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Players in action during the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025 in Jhansi.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
In the first match of the day, after a 1-1 draw over four quarters, Madhya Pradesh emerged victorious over Maharashtra in the shootout.
Pratap Lakra (6’) converted a penalty corner and opened the scoring for Madhya Pradesh early in the game. Three minutes later, Maharashtra promptly replied courtesy of a field goal from Aakib Rahim (9’). Madhya Pradesh goalkeeper Sanjay B made crucial saves in the shootout to help his side win 4-2.
Manipur and Tamil Nadu played out a goalless draw and battled it out in the shootout, which the former won 4-1. In the shootout, Manipur’s goalkeeper Ankit Malik was in incredible form, making two crucial saves.
In the third match, Punjab defeated Haryana 3-2 to seal its spot in the semifinal. Punjab’s Araijeet Singh Hundal (15’) opened the scoring for Punjab before scored Sanjay (32’) equalised for Haryana. But Punjab scored two goals in quick succession thanks to Jugraj Singh (33’) and Pardeep Singh (34’) to steal the lead.
Kuldeep (56’) got one goal back in the dying minutes of the game however, Punjab prevailed over the four quarters.
Later in the day, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka are scheduled to play the fourth quarterfinal at 7:00 PM IST.
-Team Sportstar