PHOTOS: World Champion Pankaj Advani felicitated, receives Rs 4.5 lakhs

Bangalore, Nov 8: India's 12-time World Champion cueist Pankaj Advani today returned home after his historic 'Grand Double' in England last week.

On October 29, Pankaj won the World Billiards Championship (timed format) in Leeds to complete a 'Grand Double', a record third. (Full list of Pankaj's titles)

Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA) today felicitated Pankaj for his double world titles. KSBA president MC Uthappa congratulated Pankaj and presented an award of Rs 1.5 lakhs (Rs 75,000 for each title).

After accepting the honour in the presence of his brother Shree, mother Kajal, coach Arvind Savur and others, Pankaj said he was "blessed" to have won these 12 world titles so far.

"This year has been a crazy one with four world titles. I feel blessed to have achieved this. I would like to thank KSBA, BSFI, my brother, mother, school (Frank Anthony Public School), college (SBM Jain College), Arvind (Savur) uncle, who has been a tremendous coach," the 29-year-old Pankaj said.

Also on the same occasion, Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) honoured Pankaj with Rs 3 lakhs for the same achievements. BSFI Secretary General S Balasubramaniam handed over a cheque of Rs 3 lakhs to Pankaj.

KSBA also honoured R Umadevi and Vidya V Pillai for their achievements at the international level this year. Umadevi finished runner-up at the World Ladies Billiards Championship this year. She received a cash reward of Rs 40,000.

Vidya was a bronze medallist at the Australian Open Women's Snooker Championship in Sydney this year. She received Rs 15,000.

Pankaj's next aim is to impress in front of the home fans in 11 days time when the World Snooker Championship gets under way at Bangalore's Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

Here are the pictures of Pankaj's felicitation on Saturday at the KSBA premises.