BENGALURU: Seasoned cueist Vidya Pillai gifted herself an early birthday present, the one she has been aiming for in over a decade. After six failed attempts in the final, Vidya, who will turn 46 on Sunday, finally ascended the world throne.
The Bengalurean came up with a splendid show, beating all en route to the IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Championship in Doha, Qatar, on Friday night. Vidya outplayed fellow Indian Anupama Ramachandran 4-1 in the title clash.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. So many people are so happy for me. I am completely at a loss for words,” Vidya told TOI soon after her victory.
“It has been a long wait. So many finals, so many close matches. But this one is special. Special because I really had a tough half. I had Ng On Yee of Hong Kong in the quarters, Bai Yulu of China in the semis. It feels good to have a convincing win, beating two World champions — On Yee and Yulu – en route,” added the champion.
Barring her battle with Yulu in the semifinals, Vidya was hardly troubled in her march to the title. She topped Group ‘A’ with an all-win record and then outplayed compatriot Varshaa Sanjeev 3-0 in the pre-quarters.
Next up for the veteran cueist was On Yee. However, Vidya raised her level a few notches to floor the Hong Kong player 4-0, without breaking a sweat. She had a run of 33 in the second frame and a sizzling 63 clearance in the fourth.
On Yee, reduced to a spectator, won a mere 15 points in the entire match.
“This year has been great for me,” said Vidya. “I won two pool national titles, National Games gold, bronze in the 15-red Worlds four days ago, and now this gold.”
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