Published: January 26, 2026 at 7:47 pm
Gujarat’s Aanya Patel scored a narrow victory over Shruthi L of Tamil Nadu to make the final of the junior girls’ billiards competition at the National Championships in Bahadurgarh, Haryana, on Monday.
The 19-year-old’s gritty 167-157 verdict helped her set up a meeting with promising Afeefa Thabassam of Tamil Nadu in the title round. Afeefa, the sub-junior champion, stunned last year’s finalist, Sanvi Shah, 115-62 in the one-hour contest later in the day.
In a match of fluctuating fortunes, Aanya played the big points well to keep the Tamil Nadu cueist at bay in the one-hour semifinal. Shruthi did get a few chances to turn things around, but she failed to make good her chances.
Afeefa Thabassam took the chances that came her way to put it past her formidable rival Sanvi Shah
The other semifinal may have bordered on mediocrity, but Afeefa took the chances that came her way to put it past her formidable rival, who had a poor day in the office. The Chennai cueist, who had earlier beaten Leisha Reddy in the quarters, will look to complete a billiards double.
Telangana’s Mokshita, Leisha lose in quarterfinals
In the quarterfinals, both Telangana cueists went down. Mokshita Balasaria was thumped by Shruti 70-232 and Leisha Reddy lost to Afeefa 72-113.
Results: Junior girls: Billiards (semifinals): Aanya Patel (Guj) beat Shruthi L (TN) 167-157; Afeefa Thabassam (TN) beat Sanvi Shah (MP) 115-62.
Quarterfinals: Aanya beat Jiya Sehgal (Pun) 127-53; Shruthi beat Mokshita Balasaria (Tel) 232-70; Afeefa beat Leisha Reddy (Tel) 113-72; Sanvi beat Angel Kamboj (Har) 101-77.
