Alok Kumar, who won India its first ever Asian Games medal in pool last November, created history in his own backyard in Ludhiana on Thursday.
BANGALORE: Alok Kumar, who won India its first ever Asian Games medal in pool last November, created history in his own backyard in Ludhiana on Thursday night.
The 42-year-old Punjab cueist overcame a battling Sumit Talwar 9-8 to annex his maiden 8-ball pool title and become the first player to win all possible National titles in cue sports - snooker, billiards, 9-ball pool and 8-ball pool.
"It feels great to have accomplished a unique feat," Alok told TOI on Friday. "It struck me only midway through the final that I was on the threshold of creating a record," added the Guangzhou bronze medallist.
At a time when there is more focus on specialisation, Alok's record could be tough to match. In fact, the bespectacled cueist himself had to wait for over a decade to win his first 8-ball pool title.
"I think it might be difficult to match," agreed Alok, the six-time National snooker champion. "Top players normally don't play all the disciplines. Pankaj (Advani) doesn't play pool while Manan (Chandra), a capable snooker and pool player, doesn't play billiards," observed Alok.
What took him so long to win an 8-ball title? "Luck matters in pool," Alok began. "However, for the last six months, I've been more focused in 8-ball pool. I feel more comfortable in 8-ball than 9-ball as it suits a snooker player. One is planning all the time and a player has options like in snooker," reasoned Alok, India's true cue sports all-rounder.
If you happen to be a betting man, you know whom to put the money on when the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) revives the Cue Sports League, an event comprising billiards, snooker and pool.
After his epochal win over Talwar, Alok returned later to take Rafath Habib in his stride to win the 9-ball pool title as well. It was Alok's second double of his career. He had won the billiards-snooker double in Gwalior in 2004.
Although Alok has got two big pool tournaments coming up - the Beijing Open (9-ball) later this month and the 10-ball Pool World Championship in Manila in May - Alok has to switch to the billiards mode for the Asian bash beginning on April 9 at Iran. "I have about five days to practise," Alok, a four-time National billiards champion, said.
Results: 9-ball pool: Final: Alok Kumar (PSPB) bt Rafath Habib (Rlys) 9-3.
Semifinals: Rafath Habib bt Aneesh Saini (Har) 8-2; Alok Kumar (PSPB) bt Lalrin Renthlei (Miz) 8-0.
Quarters: Rafath bt Sundeep Gulati (Del) 8-5; Aneesh bt Sunny Chaudhary (Del) 8-1; Renthlei bt Vipin Sethi (del) 8-5; Alok bt Divya Sharma (Har) 8-2.
8-ball pool: Final: Alok Kumar bt Sumit Talwar (Chd) 9-8.
Semifinals: Talwar bt Neeraj Kumar (Bih) 8-2; Alok bt Sundeep Gulati 8-4.
Quarters: Sumit bt Balaji Reddy (Kar) 7-6; Neeraj bt Divya Sharma 7-5; Gulati bt Renthlei 7-3; Alok bt Rafath 7-1.
FAQs
One of the greatest pool players in Indian history is Pankaj Advani. Being one of the best pool players in the world, he has won numerous world championships in both 8-ball and 9-ball pools. Advani is a true representative of the game of pool in India and has won numerous gold medals in international competitions.
Who is the Indian 8-ball pool champion? ›
Pankaj Advani is one of the most successful Indian pool players in history. He has won numerous world titles in both 8-ball and 9-ball pool, and he is considered to be one of the best pool players in the world.
Who is the best player in the 8-ball pool mobile game? ›
8-Ball Pool Toplists
| Top Rated Players |
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| 1 | Pacific Light | 1188 |
| 2 | Shаun Murphy no1 | 1146 |
| 3 | Eηabłed Ðısaster | 1143 |
| 4 | The Last Poet | 1127 |
96 more rowsEfren Manalang Reyes OLD PLH (born August 26, 1954), popularly known by the nicknames "Bata" (Tagalog for 'Kid') and "the Magician", is a Filipino professional pool player, who is widely regarded as the greatest pool player of all time, and especially famed for his skill at the challenging one-pocket discipline.
Who is the best billiard player in India? ›
Pankaj Arjan Advani (born 24 July 1985) is an Indian billiards and professional snooker player. He is a 27-time International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) world champion.
Who is the king of pool? ›
Efren Reyes is widely considered to be the greatest pool player of all time. He has won over 100 international titles, including the World Nine-Ball Championship, the World Eight-Ball Championship, and the U.S. Open Nine-Ball Championship.
Who has the highest rank in 8 ball pool? ›
As of the latest available rankings, Joshua Filler holds the number one position in the WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) 8-Ball Pool rankings. This ranking is based on various performance factors and points accumulated in different championships and events.
Who is the famous pool champion? ›
Over the years, Efren “Bata” Reyes has earned the title “the greatest pool player of all time” and has become an inspiration to numerous players. Even in his late 60s, Reyes still actively participates in tournaments and exhibitions and amazes audiences with his unparalleled skills.
Which country made the 8 Ball Pool? ›
History. The game of eight-ball arose around 1900 in the United States as a development of pyramid pool, which allows any eight of the fifteen object balls to be pocketed to win.
How do you win 8 Ball Pool in real life? ›
To win the game of 8-ball pool, you must first sink all of your balls into the side pockets. Once you do, you can then attempt to sink the 8-ball into a side pocket. However, you must call what pocket you intend to sink the 8-ball into. If you do not sink it into that pocket, your turn is over.
As of the latest available rankings, Joshua Filler holds the number one position in the WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) 8-Ball Pool rankings. This ranking is based on various performance factors and points accumulated in different championships and events.
Who is the Indian billiards world champion? ›
World champion Pankaj Advani of India oozed class with a triple century break of 305 as he tamed compatriot Rovin D'Souza and cruised to a comprehensive 1197-156 point win in his opening Group-A league match of the All India CCI Billiards Classic here on Wednesday.
Who are the best pool player? ›
Here are some of the world's most decorated pool players; many argue that any one of these could be in the running for the greatest player of all time. A few names to note would be Efren Reyes, Earl Strickland, Mike Sigel, Willie Mosconi, and Ralph Greenleaf.
