IBSF World snooker champion Pankaj Advani has commenced rigid training for the upcoming Asian Championship, where he anticipates Pakistan's Saleh Mohammad and countryman Yasin Merchant to be his main hurdles in his quest for the title.
The Indian teenage sensation had beaten Mohammad in the final to win the IBSF world crown in Jiangmen, China, last October.
"Saleh Mohammed is a title contender. Yasin Merchant has been playing very well. So, he has a good chance also," Advani said in Bangalore on Monday.
Advani, who will represent India in the 20th Asian Snooker Championship along with Merchant and Alok Kumar, has been given top billing for the June 5-12 tournament in Jordan.
"Our [the trio's] preparations have been good. Yasin is a two-time Asian champion and also an Asian Games gold medallist. Alok is in good nick at the moment. I have been practicing five hours a day but now have started more serious training," Advani said.
"Our chances are good at the championship because we have won many international titles," he said, but hastened to add that snooker is an unpredictable game and one never knows the result till the last ball had been cleared.
"The Chinese and Thais are very good. We have got competition and it all depends on handling pressure at the right moment," he added.
Meanwhile, the International Billiards and Snooker Foundation has from this year changed the rule of giving the World champion a direct entry into the pro-circuit, which has hit Advani's plans.
"I have no idea why they have changed the ruling from this year. Now I would have to go through the grind again [of taking part in the Challenge Tour, which comprises five tournaments in England, to make it to the pro-circuit]," Advani said.
