Indian cueists continue to rock

Indian cueist continued their impressive run in the World Billiard championship at Qawra, Malta as six of the seven members made it to the knock out stage of the time format event.

World Billiards points format champion Pankaj Advani once again led the Indian brigade as five of them topped their respective groups going to the round of 16.

Former world champions Geet Sethi and Ashok Shandilya, former Asian champion Devendra Joshi and Alok Kumar won all the three league matches to maintain a clean slate.

Only Dhruv Sitwala finished second, behind former champion Robby Foldvari of Australia, after he lost his final league encounter against the same opponent.

The only Indian to miss out on the pre-quarterfinal berth was Sourav Kothari, son of former world champion Manoj, after he lost two of his three league matches.

In the pre-quarterfinals, Advani will take on Mark Boyle of Scotland while Sethi will meet John McIntyre of Northern Ireland.

Shandilya will face Larry Drennan of Republic of Ireland, Alok Kumar will meet former champion Paul Mifsud of Malta and Joshi will take on Sitwala for a berth in the last eight.