I have constantly surprised myself: Pankaj

Pankaj Advani, the newly crowned Professional World Billiards Champion returned home to Bangalore in the early hours of Tuesday morning and was welcomed at the airport by friends and family.

Pankaj is only the second Indian after Geet Sethi to win the Professional World Billiards title in its 139-year history.

The 24-year-old beat defending champion Mike Russell to win the prestigious crown in Leeds on Sunday. The young world champion spoke to CNN-IBN in an exclusive interview.

CNN-IBN: Pankaj welcome to CNN-IBN.

Pankaj Advani:: Thank you

CNN-IBN: How are you managing to keep your eyes open?

Pankaj Advani:: It has been such a long journey. Not only this journey of one day but the journey of the last 13 years has been very tiring. Yet at the same time very fruitful, very productive and I have enjoyed every single moment of it. I think moments like these really make the journey worthwhile.

CNN-IBN: Pankaj has it sunk in yet for you? The fact that the trophy cabinet is almost complete... the professional world title the only one missing from there.

Pankaj Advani:: I would actually rate all my seven world titles on par with each other. Obviously this is special because this is the first time that I have won this title. But it is no less than the other six world titles that I have won in the past. Yes! I think now it is complete and that no one can ever tell me that this is the title that I have never won.

CNN-IBN: Mike Russell is a legend. May be you grew up idolising him. Michael Ferreira told CNN-IBN that it was important for you to really bearding the lion in his own den. How do you look at beating Mike Russell ?

Pankaj Advani:: Michael was absolutely right when he said that it was really difficult to beat Russell in England. I think that's what makes the victory so special, so sweet. So it couldn't be at a better time because Mike was going for his 10th world title and the third in a row. I thought that the only way to do it is to have a good start in the match and that is what exactly happened. So I concentrated in the first one and half hours, made sure that I got a good lead and after that I think it was smooth sailing.

CNN-IBN: This afternoon (Tuesday) you were quite agitated at the felicitation and said that I let my cue do the talking.

Pankaj Advani:: Well I am not angry but when people ask me questions about whether or not I would be playing professional snooker in England or not... I think I have already said it hundred times that I am not interested. I think people need to respect this decision of mine. People need to know what goes behind taking such a decision because I am sure if any one has to go to England for 10 months in a year and rough it out, it is not the easiest thing to do, especially when I am doing so well in the game of billiards. I think people should appreciate the achievements that I have in one sport rather than questioning my ability in other sport. So it is not about being angry. It is about respecting other person's decision when they have already thought a lot about it an allowing the sportsperson to do what he wants.

CNN-IBN: How does a 24-year-old keep a check while taking part in an emotionally draining sport like billiards?

Pankaj Advani:: I must say that there are a lot of people who have contributed to my success. My family, ONGC, KSBA, my coach Arvind Savur... there have been lot of supporters, my college, school etc. But when I am out there playing it is just me and the table. The opponent can't apply pressure on you. Luckily this is a sport where your opponent does not apply physical pressure on you. Otherwise you can see how thin I am. I don't think I would have won in a physical sport. But mentally you have to be very strong and fit. That's what the game is really all about. You really have to be at peace with yourself when you play the game.

CNN-IBN: Is this also the most satisfying out of the so many titles that you have won so far.

Pankaj Advani:: It is one of the most satisfying because I played Mike Russell in England but it is right up there with other world titles. The twin titles at Bangalore last year was huge and now this title. This is of course one of the best. I would not say the best one because people say that this is the only one I hadn't won and they gave this more importance than the other titles that I won. I feel yes it is one of the best.

CNN-IBN: When you won the Khel Ratna you said that you kept on jumping up an down and you couldn't believe that it could happen to you. What happened this time when you won this title?

Pankaj Advani:: To be honest I went into the championship just like any other tournament. I wanted to play my game. I wanted to enjoy my game and take it one step at a time because I really didn't think of the title when I left for England. It just a bonus that I won and I so happy that I could bring this title back to India

CNN-IBN: Pankaj you once told CNN-IBN that you like to groove to Shakira's Hips don't lie. You have walked the ramp, danced on TV and broken the image of a billiards player as a serious guy. How do you manage to combine both lives - a strict regime and also the life of a normal 24-year-old?

Pankaj Advani:: I am 24 at the end of the day an I like to unwind just like any other youngster. I like to enjoy life just like any other youngster. So besides the game I would definitely like to try out new things. I would like to experiment, keep my mind stimulated and venture out into different things in life.

CNN-IBN: Let's talk a bit about the future. Some one like Geet Sethi has been in the sport for 33 years. You have been in the sport for almost 10 years. How do you see the sport in the next 20 years. How far do you see yourself going?

Pankaj Advani:: As I said I don't know what is going to happen even tomorrow leave alone next 20 years or five years or 10 years. To me this moment is the most important. Every moment when I am playing a match I am just thinking of that particular shot that I am going to play. I am not even bothered about what the next shot is going to turn out to be. I just want to execute the present moment where I have to give my best. That's all that matters to me. So I really don't know where I am heading in the next five or 10 years. But if this inspires youngsters to take up the sport seriously then I am definitely going to continue playing and definitely do my bit to promote and popularise cue sports.

CNN-IBN: Pankaj you said that beating Mike Russell in England was a huge high for you. But perhaps it is too early to ask you whether you have any set targets as of now, but would you some day perhaps want to win as many titles or perhaps more than what Mike Russell has done?

Pankaj Advani:: You never know. I thought I couldn't win a world title when I was 18 and then China came along and I won IBSF World Snooker at that age. So I have constantly surprised myself over a period of time. Sometimes I don't know that I can actually play so well. May be it requires a bit of motivation from some one else. It requires just a couple of words from a fellow player. For example Sourav Kothari said that don't ever think that you are not a favourite in the final and that gave me so much confidence to play. So some times you really surprise yourself and you know you can play much better than what you think you can.

CNN-IBN: Let's talk about your friend now. Your friend Robin Uthappa has made 157 of your title. We are hoping he will be back in India colours soon.

Pankaj Advani:: Oh! Did he make 157? Lovely. Yes it is a good day for both of us. I just like congratulate him. Well don buddy. Keep it up and I wish you have many more scores like this.

CNN-IBN: Pankaj thank you far talking to CNN-IBN.

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