Kolkata: Top Indian cueist Sourav Kothari is heart-broken, that he couldn’t win the Long-up format of the IBSF World Billiards Championship held in Bengaluru recently despite beating ten-time world champion, Pankaj Advani in the quarters.
Kothari lost to Peter Gilchrist in the finals. Yet, he is keen on looking ahead. Sports News Crunch caught up with the reigning National Champion in Kolkata.
Excerpts:
What made you choose billiards as a career?
I think, it is because of my father (former World Champion Manoj
Kothari). You know, when I was a small child, I had been to the
airport to receive my father who was returning home after winning a world championship. I could see the crowd all applauding his efforts and welcoming him. I wanted to emulate that. I wanted to experience that. I think that made me take up billiards.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Undoubtedly, it has been my father. Every child learns from his parents. As a small child, I have always admired him. Whenever he went for practice, I used to accompany him and watch him play. Initially, I didn’t understand how the game was played, but I just followed my father. And as I said, I wanted to achieve what my father had. He has been my greatest inspiration. I admired his determination and concentration. Other than my Dad, Geeth Sethi has been a role model for me.
How has your father helped your career?
As I said, I always wanted to be like him. I wanted to emulate his determination. He was my hero. After I took up billiards as a career, it was he who guided me. Let me give you one example. I had returned home after winning a tournament. I thought that I would relax for a few days. But he did not approve of this idea. He told me to practise the very next day.
I was puzzled as I didn’t quite understand what he wanted to say. I had just won a championship and he told me to resume practice the next day. Then he told me that it was very important not be complacent about anything in life. If you are successful, it’s good, but we shouldn’t let that success get into your head. We should remain grounded and continue with our work.
Similarly, it is important not to get nervous when you’re not doing well. In our sport, even the slightest shake in the hand can spoil a game. My father has always supported me (partly because was aware of my skills) and also because he wanted me to be successful and carry on his legacy.
What was your reaction when you beat Pankaj Advani in Bengaluru?
Of course I was happy that I had beaten him. It gradually sunk in. You know, I have always believed in myself and I knew that if I worked hard and played seriously with focus, I could beat anyone. My best win came against Praput Chaithanasukan. He was the defending champion in that tournament and to beat him fair and square was really pleasing.
How do you handle a lean patch in your career?
It is very important to work hard. I remember one incident, when I lost to a person who was way below me in the rankings. It was shocking. I could not accept it. At the airport, I covered my face with my hands and started crying because I was so much in disbelief. I almost thought of quitting the game which I shared with my father.
Although he could see that I was broken, he gave me a sound scolding. And this had shattered me completely. He asked me as to who I thought I was. He told me that the game had given me so much and I just could not walk away from it. He said he wanted to see me at the practice table the next morning.
Well, I didn’t quite realise it then, but now I understand it is very important to keep your calm and go on working hard whatever the situation is. I now thank my Dad for the scolding he gave me that day because it helped me stick to the game. Every sportsperson has that lean patch in his career when things go wrong and there isn’t much to do about it. It is very important to keep believing in yourself. We should not get carried away with wins. At the same time, we shouldn’t give up during tough phases.
What is you view on India’s dismal Rio Olympics performance?
We are too easily satisfied with everything. The mentality needs to change. Even smaller countries like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago win more medals than India. We must utilise the opportunities provided to us.
What is your message to those who want to take up billiards as a career?
My message to them would be to stay humble and keep on working hard. The game is a mother, and it’ll always give back something to you. The belief in one’s own self has to be there.
The collective mentality has to change. Sport is just not for time
pass, but it also inculcates important values in us.
What next?
I just lost a final in Bangalore where my Dad won. Things couldn’t have been better, if I too had won the trophy. I still cannot get over that defeat. Probably it’ll take some time, but I know that I have to be.