CHENGDU (CHINA): India’s top heyball player, Shivam Arora, stormed into the semifinals of the World Games on Tuesday.
Heyball, a unique cue sport that blends elements of snooker and pool, is played under the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) rules.
Arora narrowly defeated Hong Kong China’s Yip Kin Ling 5-4 in a thrilling quarterfinal, setting up a semifinal clash against Zhang Taiyi, who overcame fellow Chinese cueist Liu Xin 5-3.
In a match full of momentum swings, world No. 5 Arora held his nerve in the decider, keeping his medal hopes alive. The Indian ace, who claimed silver at last month’s inaugural Commonwealth Billiards Championships, dominated the final rack, leaving Kin Ling with no chance after a dry break. Arora’s impeccable cue ball control and precise positioning made it a start-to-finish display of skill.
In snooker action, national champion Sourav Kothari bowed out in the quarterfinals. The 40-year-old missed several key opportunities and lost 0-2 to China’s Xiao Guodong.
Quarterfinal Results:
- Heyball Mixed: Shivam Arora (IND) def. Yip Kin Ling (HKC) 5-4; Zhang Taiyi (CHN) def. Liu Xin (CHN) 5-3; Tang Chunxiao (CHN) def. Shi Tianqi (CHN) 5-1; Jason Theron (RSA) def. Alejandro Carvajal (CHI) 5-2.
- Men’s Snooker: Xiao Guodong (CHN) def. Sourav Kothari (IND) 2-0 (67-2, 87 (69)-1).
