Teenage cue sports sensation Pankaj Advani is keen to add the Asian snooker title to his kitty.
But things are not going to be easy for the reigning International Billiards and Snooker Federation World billiards champion.
"I am looking to better my performance. That's one title that has eluded me," said Advani, who leaves for Bangkok on Friday to participate in the Asian Snooker Championship, commencing on Sunday. He is seeded second in the tournament.
Last year the Bangalore-based 19-year-old ended up on the losing side of the final in Jordan, as countryman Alok Kumar went on to win the title. This year Kumar and Advani are joined by Manan Chandra as the Indian entries in the tournament.
Advani, who won the world snooker crown in 2003, said the competition in the Thailand capital, where the sport is popular, is expected to be tough and rated as many as five Thai players as good.
Pakistan's Saleh Mohammed is the third seed. Chinese and Malaysian cueists are also a force to reckon with, he said.
He said he has been practising five-six hours a day under coach Arvind Savur.
After the Asian event, Advani is planning to take part in an invitation snooker tournament in Chennai in August before leaving for Bahrain for the World under-21 championship.
The World under-21 title has also eluded the youngster, who is making waves at the senior level.