Pankaj Advani Is In! Cue-Sport Legend Gets Surprise Wildcard for Heyball Worlds

Pune is set to become the centre of the global cue-sports world as 28-time world champion Pankaj Advani joins the field for the third edition of the Heyball World Championships after receiving a wildcard entry. The tournament will be held in Pune from August 12 to 15 and features some of the biggest names in the sport.

Formerly known as Chinese 8-ball, heyball combines the ball sets used in American 8-ball pool with the smaller, rounder pockets associated with a snooker table. The unique format demands not only accurate potting but also strong tactical judgment and safety play.

Advani was handed the wildcard after a few players withdrew from the tournament. The 41-year-old Indian cue-sport legend is no stranger to the discipline, having previously tried his hand at heyball three years ago. His extensive experience in snooker could prove valuable, particularly when it comes to controlling the table and using safety tactics.

The tournament carries a USD 400,000 prize purse and will feature 128 players, with 64 competitors each in the men's and women's categories. The field includes six of the world's top 10 men's players and eight of the top 10 women's players.

World No. 1 Jack Whelan and Gareth Potts are among the leading attractions in the men's field. Belgium's top-ranked women's player Wendy Jans and defending champion Kelly Fisher headline the women's competition.

Advani is one of 15 Indian players taking part in the championships. The women's field also features several prominent Indian names, including Amee Kamani, a bronze medallist at the previous edition in Australia, Commonwealth Billiards Championships gold medallist Vidya Pillai, World junior bronze medallist Natasha Chethan, IBSF World snooker champion Anupama Ramachandran, and Varshaa Sanjeev, who returns to competitive action after a three-year break.

The choice of Pune as the host city also carries historical significance. The event is part of the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India's centenary celebrations, with organisers noting that the city is the birthplace of Wilson Jones, independent India's first world champion in any sport.

With a strong international field and Advani's surprise inclusion, the championship promises four days of high-level cue-sport action.