Sourav Kothari downs Pankaj Advani for second world title

KOLKATA: Sourav Kothari did an encore when he claimed back-to-back world titles by winning the IBSF World Billiards Championship (time format) in Carlow, Ireland, late on Tuesday night.Last year, Sourav had emulated his father, the legendary Indian cueist Manoj Kothari, by becoming a world champion for the first time, fulfilling a feat that his father achieved in 1990.Interestingly the repeat came at the same venue and against the same rival, Pankaj Advani. Sourav was more ruthless this time getting past multiple world champion Advani 1133-477.The 41-year-old recorded a sizzling 485 in reply to his rival’s 141 early in the match. He took an hour and two minutes for the mammoth break and went on to score stupendous runs of 485, 121, 90, 241 and an unfinished 155 to floor Advani in the three-hour-long battle in the final.Sourav pointed towards the sky after the win sending his love and gratitude to his coach and father whom he lost in Jan this year.It was an emotional journey for Sourav, who overcame grief to be crowned the national billiards champion for the fourth time just days after Kothari Sr’s demise.