Advani, Sethi to represent India in Asian Games billiards

Reigning World professional champion Pankaj Advani and veteran Geet Sethi will spearhead India's challenge in the billiards category in this year's Asian Games to be held in Ghungzhou, China from November 12-27.

Both Advani and Sethi qualified for the event after the completion of the fourth and final camp at the Madhya Pradesh Cue Sports Academy at Nehru Stadium in Indore on Monday night, where they finished on top two positions.

"I am absolutely delighted to be representing India at the Asian Games. This is my fourth consecutive Asian Games. I accumulated a total of 30 points to occupy number two position," Sethi told PTI.

"It's very difficult to get selected for the Asian Games as the standard of billiards in the selection camps are very high. No one remained undefeated in these camps, not even Pankaj. Pankaj was the most competent and consistent one who occupied number one position and then I came second," Sethi said. 

However, Sethi's nearest rival for the number two spot, Rupesh Shah failed to qualify for the event despite registering a win over former world billiards champion Sethi. 

Rupesh beat Sethi 3-2 but the matches he lost 2-3 against Devendra Joshi and B Bhaskar jolted his chances. 

Rupesh needed to finish three spots above Sethi but failed to do so.

Rupesh finished at third position while B Bhaskar and Saurav Kothari came fourth in the eight-day-long selection trials,  which started on July 25.