D Rajkumar warded off a late challenge from Amit Bhushan to emerge triumphant in the inaugural 8-ball pool State-ranking tournament at the KSBA Hall here on Thursday.
The left-handed Rajkumar, the three-time 9-ball pool champion, emerged a 7-5 victor. Rajkumar got off to a flier, jumping to a 3-0 lead in the best-of-13 rack finale. Bhushan fought back to reduce the margin, but the KPTCL employee was always ahead.
Rajkumar could have sealed match in the 11th rack, but went in-off after taking the eighth, which allowed young Bhushan to pull one back. But before much damage could be done, Rajkumar sealed the issue in the next rack.
Sherazi third
In the third-place play-off, Mundir Sherazi edged out Balaji Reddy 3-2. The top four will represent the State in the Nationals to be held in Kolkata in May.
Final standings: D Rajkumar 1; Amit Bhushan 2; Mundir Sherazi 3; Balaji Reddy 4; Shree Advani 5; M Yogesh 6; L Nagaraj 7; Ajay Bhushan 8.
Results: Final: D Rajkumar bt Amit Bhushan 7-5.
Third-place play-off: Mundir Sherazi bt Balaji Reddy 3-2.
