JOIN USVarsha clinches snooker crown
After losing to Maharashtra’s two-time junior champion Arantxa Sanchis in the billiards final 146-107 on Wednesday, the eighth-standard Sophia School student avenged her loss with a 48-26, 54-53 win in the snooker final at the PYC Hindu Gymkhana on Thursday.
“I’m beyond excited,” gushed Varsha. “The final was a great fun. I didn’t make any big breaks but still managed really well. The first frame was quite easy but the second frame went down to a black-ball finish. I was mentally prepared to handle such a situation. All the training I’ve been put through came in handy on that last shot.”
Varsha, who missed out on titles in the sub-junior snooker and billiards categories after losing in the semifinals and the quarterfinals respectively due to fever, had put up a dismal show in the 2009 Agra Nationals crashing out of the billiards quarterfinal and bowing out in the preliminary round of the snooker event.
With a change in her stance and new hold on the cue stick, Varsha made her mark in the State circuit with impressive performances in the last couple of months. The teenager had finished fourth and third in the billiards and snooker categories respectively in the recently conducted 22nd Ladies’ State-ranking tournament in Bangalore.
“To play in the Nationals is a big deal. There are so many more people watching and so much more pressure, but at the same time it gives you a lot of confidence. Initially I had trouble getting used to all that was happening around me but one year is more than enough to get accustomed to these things. Last year was a good experience and this year I had to go out and win a title. I really did not expect to win the snooker title though. I’m more of a billiards player but I can target both next year,” said the MG Jayaram-coached lass, who idolises seven-time world champion Pankaj Advani.