Anupama Becomes First Cueist From TN To Win Silver At World Snooker Championship

Chennai, Aug 26: Giving yet another proof of her rising stature, promising Tamil Nadu cueist Anupama Ramachandran has won the silver medal in the Under-21 World Snooker Championship held at Bucharest in Romania.

After a fine performance in the earlier stages, Anupama, a trainee
of the S.A.Saleem Snooker Academy in the city, lost to Thailand’s
Panchaya Channoi 1-4 in the summit clash, ensuring a silver medal
for India.

It turned out to be a double podium finish for India as another upcoming
talent Keerthana Pandian won the bronze in the same section in the event organised by the IBSF.

Anupama, who had earlier won the Under-16 World title in 2017 and
Bronze medal in-U 16 World Snooker Championship in 2018, was
accorded a rousing reception on her arrival at the airport here today.

Anupama, who have been practicing hard with multiple time Tamil Nadu
Champion and former India No.3 S.A.Saleem at the SSA, is also eligible
to represent India in the Women’s-6 Red World Championship to be held
in Malaysia in October and the Women’s-15 Red Snooker Championship
at Turkey in November this year.

She has been currently ranked Number one in India after the Selection
camp held in Bangalore in June.

By winning the Silver at Bucharest, Anupama earned the distinction of
becoming the first cueist from Tamil Nadu to win a medal in the World
event.

Talking to reporters, Anupama, who has eight National junior titles to
her credit, said she was happy to win the silver as the competition was
challenging.

She said she had to face strong Thailand cueists both in the semifinal
and in the Final. “I gave my best in the summit clash, but Panchaya
Channoi played very well and won the Gold”, she added.

She said “though the Central and State governments are helping in
promoting the green baize game, we need more support, so that many
youngsters like me will take to the sport and bring laurels for the country”.

While stressing the need that sponsors should come forward and support
the sport, Anupama also suggested that snooker should be introduced as
a sport as part of school and college curriculum, which will lead to unearthing
more talents.

The Tamil Nadu government supporting the sportspersons winning laurels in
National and International events by presenting cash awards, was encouraging
and will enable more youngsters to develop a career in sports, Anupama said.

Speaking about Anupama’s silver medal winning performance, Saleem, who
was also present at the airport, said it was yet another proof of her rising
stature.

“Anupama is made of sterner stuff and I expect her to win many more laurels
in future”, he added.