A champion’s journey: Pankaj Advani's path to cue sports mastery captivates audience @ OAC 2024

Billiards and snooker champion Pankaj Advani's remarkable journey was the focal point of his valedictory address on the second day of OOH Advertising Convention 2024 held at Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Manyata Business Park in Bangalore during July 26-27. His talk titled ‘Taking a cue from life lessons to scale the peak of excellence,’ captivated the audience with its life-drawn insights and personal anecdotes. 

Pankaj began his engaging session by sharing an anecdote from his childhood. When at the age of 11 he was asked by a journalist about his future aspirations, Pankaj promptly replied that he wanted to become a businessman, following in his father's footsteps. But on second thoughts, he added that he also hoped to become a World Champion one day. This seemingly casual remark planted a seed in Pankaj's subconscious, which eventually blossomed into an extraordinary career in the world of cue sports, billiards and snooker. Today, Pankaj is a 27-time world champion, recognized for his exceptional skills in both sports and honoured with India's highest sporting accolades, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna, and Arjuna Awards.

A passionate beginning

Pankaj shared that from an early age, he found immense joy in playing billiards and snooker. What began as a passionate hobby evolved into a professional pursuit. Reflecting on his journey, Pankaj emphasised that his vision extended beyond mere victory. His focus was on continuous self-improvement and enjoyment of the game itself. This approach with its hunger for excellence fostered in him a mindset of growth and continuous learning.

The road to professionalism

At 16, Pankaj's talent earned him a wildcard entry to the Asian Billiards Championship in Bangalore. Although he came close to winning it, he narrowly lost to a more seasoned opponent. Despite this setback, Pankaj recognized that his abilities and potential were evident; he only needed more experience and wisdom. This realisation marked a crucial turning point. He adopted a philosophy of prioritising process over outcome, continually striving to refine his skills and gain valuable competitive experience.

The ability to distinguish knowledge from wisdom also became a guiding principle in Pankaj’s life. This coupled with his focus on process soon led to success. At 18, he won his first Men's World Snooker title. Pankaj also made sure to make it known that this achievement was made possible by the support of a dedicated team, including his coach, Arvind Savur, and his brother, Sri, who served as his mind coach and sports psychologist.

Breaking boundaries in cue sports

Successful people very rarely make it without overcoming challenges. In Pankaj’s case the challenge was more in the form of conventional perception that athletes should only specialise in any one of the two sports - billiards or snooker. But contrary to this belief, Pankaj aspired to excel in both. His decision, initially met with scepticism, proved successful when he became the first player to win the IBSF World Billiards Title in both short and long formats within 18 months. This accomplishment strengthened his belief in competing at the highest levels across all cue sport disciplines.

The power of resilience

Pankaj's career also highlights the power of resilience and maintaining a positive attitude. He talked about his struggle with the elusive Asian Snooker Championship title, having lost in four finals before finally winning in 2019 under challenging circumstances, including battling a high fever. The victory reinforced for him the importance of perseverance and a never give-up attitude. The same may be said of his resolve to turn all criticisms and mockery into motivation, letting his performance speak for itself.

Pankaj, while talking about his experiences, drew parallels with tennis legend Roger Federer, who reinvented his game after a period without major wins, to illustrate the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement. Like Federer, Pankaj has consistently adapted his strategies, ensuring his competitiveness at the highest levels.

The role of attitude

Finally, summing up his success journey, Pankaj underscored one significant factor – attitude. He cited a study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that attributed 85% of success to attitude, surpassing skills and knowledge. 

Pankaj Advani’s journey from a passionate young player to a world-renowned champion is a story of dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His record-breaking achievements in both billiards and snooker have set new standards and redefined the potential within cue sports. His address deeply resonated with the OAC audience, comprising senior business leaders and marketing professionals. After all, sports does offer some very important life lessons that can be applied to all walks of life.