Success is about giving your best for the country: Pankaj Advani

Even after decades at the top of world cue sports, Pankaj Advani speaks about the game with the same boyish excitement he had when he first picked up a cue. The multiple-time world champion, who calls Bengaluru home, has evolved from a fearless prodigy into one of India’s most decorated sportspersons. Yet, away from the baize table, his idea of success is disarmingly simple: good sleep, home-cooked food, honest effort and the joy of representing the country. Excerpts:

On handling the pressure over the years in his journey
When I started, I was an unseeded player, so I was fearless. I didn’t even understand the meaning of pressure. Now, when you enter as the favourite, expectations are high. You dream of being the best, of reaching finals and the business end of tournaments. There is pressure, but that’s what you sign up for as a sportsperson. If you don’t enjoy pressure, it’s better to pack your bags and go home. For me, pressure is a privilege. Over the years, I’ve realised we’re human — we can’t be at our best every day. I’ve made peace with mistakes. Even when I’m losing, I tell myself: It’s not the end of the world. I still give it my best, but I approach things more philosophically now. The hunger to win is still the same.

On resetting after a tour
Sleep. Lots of it. I know it sounds boring, but there’s no better way to reset than proper rest. After every tournament, I feel like I’ve given a piece of myself to it. So when I’m back home, my body almost shuts down. I spend time with my parents, catch up with a few friends and don’t touch the cue for three or four days. I try to think as little about the game as possible. However, if I stay home for three weeks, I get restless. Travel opens your mind and there are some places that bring out the best in me.

On being successful
Success is about giving your best and representing the country with pride. Titles are important, but the process matters more now. It’s about staying consistent, enjoying the game and continuing to grow.

On young players today
This generation is very intelligent and they have access to so much information because of technology. They know what they want. But there are also many distractions and it depends on how hungry they are to succeed. When I was growing up, I had tunnel vision that helped me immensely. Social media is necessary today to promote oneself and stay informed. But you also have to be careful. Not everything you see online is real. People should ask themselves whether they’re truly happy doing what they’re doing,
or just chasing fame. Use technology to your advantage, but don’t let it consume you.
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