Dhruv Sitwala retains Asian billiards crown

Reigning Asian billiards champion Dhruv Sitwala successfully defended his crown at the Asian Billiards Championship, beating compatriot Bhaskar Balachandra 6-2 in the final in Colombo, on Tuesday.

Three World champions -- Pankaj Advani, Peter Gilchrist and C Praprut -- were also in the fray in a star-studded field.

Bhaskar stunned Advani in the quarter-finals and Gilchrist in the semi-finals, while Praprut lost to Gilchrist in the quarter-finals.

In the final, Sitwala, who surprised 15-time World champion Advani to win the Asian title last year, led 3-2 at the interval before winning three straight frames.