Indian Sports Report, March 29: Pankaj Advani storms into the semi-finals of the National Pool 9-ball Championships

CUE SPORTS

Pankaj Advani storms to the semi-finals of Group National

Top cueist Pankaj Advani of PSPB defeated Piyush Kushwaha to enter the men’s semi-final of the National Pool 9-ball Championships in Ludhiana on Sunday.

The multiple world champion, best known for his prowess in snooker and billiards, scored a lopsided 9-3 win over the Madhya Pradesh player to set up a semi-final with the winner of the match between Kushal C and Kamal Chawla.

The other semi-final will be played between Nitin Sharma and S Shrikrishna.

While Chandigarh’s Nitin scored a 9-6 win over Delhi’s Shoaib Khan, Shrikrishna played with Chandigarh’s Sumit Talwar 9-3.

Advani, who was probably only playing his first first championship in the pool, was a revelation.

The 40-year-old, winner of 28 world titles in billiards and snooker, has had a great run here.

In the pre-quarters, the man from Bengaluru stunned 10-ball pool champion and favorite Shivam Arora 8-2 with ease.

The seasoned cueist continued his dream run with a crushing win over Kushwaha.

At the adjacent table, Advani’s PSPB teammate S defeated Shrikrishna Talwar, who is best known for his exploits in the pool.

Shrikrishna, a former world 6-red champion, will take on Chandigarh’s Nitin Sharma.

Nitin, who at one point appeared to be running away with the match, had to dig deep into his reserves to beat Shoiab.

– PTI

FOR BADMINTON

Pramod Bhagat leads India’s charge with one gold and two silvers at the Spanish Para Badminton International osYSJ3d.

India put in an impressive performance at the Spanish Para Badminton International 2026 – Level 1 in Toledo with Pramod Bhagat emerging as the standout performer. The Paralympic champion claimed one gold and two silver medals, spearheading India’s strong showing on the international stage.

Bhagat’s campaign was highlighted by a gold medal in the Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 category, where he teamed up with Manisha Ramdass. The Indian duo defeated compatriots Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan in straight matches in the final. They won the first set comfortably 21-15, before dropping a hard-fought second set 24-22 to seal the title in a 30-minute encounter.

In the SL3 men’s singles final, Bhagat put up a determined fight but settled for silver after edging out compatriot Nitesh by a score of 10-21, 17-21.

He added a second silver in the men’s doubles SL3-SU5, alongside Sukant Kadam. The pair fought bravely against the Indian combination of Naveen Sivakumar and Surya Kant Yadav. After losing the opening set 16-21, Bhagat and Kadam came back to win the second 21-12, but ultimately fell short in the decider 15-21, securing silver.

Bhagat said, «I am very happy to come out of Toledo with one gold and two silver medals. Every match was a tough challenge, especially against my fellow Indian teammates. The mixed doubles was particularly special – Manisha and I showed great understanding and composure at crucial moments. This performance gives me a lot of confidence and I am motivated to keep improving and perform even better in the upcoming tournaments.»

India’s overall campaign in Toledo was marked by multiple podium finishes across all categories. Nitesh won gold in men’s doubles SL3, while Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi won gold in women’s doubles SL3-SU5. Thulasimathi also claimed gold in the Women’s Singles SU5, with Manisha finishing with silver in the same category.

– Team Sportstar

MORE SPORTS

Jharkhand, HP wrestlers win two golds each at Khelo India Tribal Games

Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh bagged two gold medals each on the opening day of the wrestling competition in Ambikapur, while Mizoram bagged a pair of gold medals to conclude the weightlifting competition on the fifth day of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 in Raipur on Sunday.

Jharkhand opened its gold medal account when Poonam Oraon won the women’s 50kg final against Geetha K of Telangana 6-3, while Anjit Kumar Munda won the Greco-Roman men’s 67kg final, beating Gujarat’s Mukesh Vasva by technical superiority.

Himachal Pradesh’s two gold medals came through Navish Kumar (97kg GR) and Priyanka Chaudhary (women’s 62kg), while Mizoram took its tally of gold medals to four with Zosangzuali (women’s +86kg) and David Zohmingmawia (men’s +110kg) finishing at the top of the podium. These gold medals took Mizoram to fifth place in the overall rankings.

Karnataka continues to top the overall rankings with 15 gold, six silver and four bronze medals, while Odisha is second with nine gold, four silver and 10 bronze. Host Chhattisgarh, who won silver (Rishika Kashyap) and bronze (Lucky Babu Markam) in weightlifting, dropped to ninth in the medal rankings.

Weightlifter Sambo Lapung helped Arunachal Pradesh jump Assam to third place as he took the gold in the men’s 100kg with a total weight of 299kg.

David Lal Zawmdika from Mizoram finished second with a total of 270kg. The bronze medal went to Chhattisgarh’s Lucky Babu with a total of 261 kg.

Maharashtra also made progress on the medals front as weightlifter Sakshi Burkule helped the state win its second gold medal with a dominant performance in the women’s 86kg category. Her total of 150 kg was 29 kg more than silver winner Rishika Kashyap of Chhattisgarh.

Sakshi led from the front and was hardly challenged. It was a good show from Rishika who played within her limits and picked her weights well to finish on the podium.

Wrestler Vinod Salkar then added gold to Maharashtra’s list by topping the Scandinavian league in the men’s 125kg freestyle competition.

Jammu and Kashmir also opened its medal account on Sunday by winning gold and silver in the wrestling competition. Munir Hussain defeated Vikram Pawar of Maharashtra 11-1 by technical superiority in the first round to win the gold in the men’s 74kg freestyle, while Shama Hoon lost to Navish Kumar of Himachal Pradesh in the Greco-Roman 97kg final.

– PTI

INDIAN FOOTBALL

Bharti released from India camp

Defender Abneet Bharti has been released from the Indian senior team camp in Kochi and returned to his club in Bolivia, Academia del Balompié Boliviano, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said.

“I wish him all the best for the new season of the Bolivian league,” the Body added.

India will take on Hong Kong in an AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier on March 31.

– Team Sportstar

Published on March 29, 2026