Rupesh crowned Asian Billiards champion

Reigning world champion Rupesh Shah added another feather in his cap by clinching the 12th Asian Billiards championship with win over compatriot Alok Kumar in the fiercely fought final, in Indore on Sunday.

After winning the lag, Alok asked Rupesh to start with white and after small ifs and but, Rupesh registered first game win in best of 11 final match.

Alok recovered from that in the second game and levelled the match 1-1 but Rupesh rebounded by producing 67 points break and advanced 2-1.

After that with full composer Alok produced an unfinished century break and further won the next game too to step ahead. Sniffing the danger, Rupesh got himself together and produced three breaks of 101, 95 and 100 to leave Alok way behind.

Alok, who is well known for his fighting spirit, succeeded to pocket ninth game by producing a break off 76 points but last game and the title was waiting for Rupesh as Alok missed thrice in the tenth game which Rupesh capitalised and sealed the match.

This is India's 10th Asian Billiards title and Rupesh is a new entrant in this elite club. He follows previous champions Geet Sethi, Ashok Shandilya, Devendra Joshi, Pankaj Advani and Alok Kumar.