Ajinkya Yelve of NSCI in grand fashion emerged champion as he enjoyed smooth sailing to cruise past Vishal Kadam of Amanora Club, Pune coasting to straight frames 5-0 victory in a one-sided best-of-9-frame final of the Islam Gymkhana organized 12th Pro Classic 6-Red Snooker Tournament 2023, and played at the Islam Gymkhana billiards hall.
The versatile Yelve was on a roll and grabbed every opportunity to accumulate the points in building small, but useful breaks dash the aspirations of Kadam by carving out a 26-19, 43-38, 32-30, 34-15 and 48-6 victory without much ado.
Earlier, Yelve halted the excellent winning run of Tata Sports Club’s L.S. Mahatre by coasting to a comfortable win in five frames, in the best-of-7-frame semi-finals. Yelve had things very much in control and carved out a well-deserved 31-0, 21-46, 31-13, 38-1 and 38-11 victory with a degree of comfort.
In the second semi-final, Kadam was in his elements and marched to a quick win against Nilesh Kobnak of Willingdon Sports Club in straight frames. The Pune cueist potted steadily and with perfect selection of shots did well to script an authoritative 47-11, 50-16, 36-22 and 35-2 win.
Chief Guest, former two-time Asian snooker champion Yasin Merchant presented champion Yelve with the winners’ trophy and a cash award of Rs 25,000. Merchant handed Kadam the runners-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 12,000. Both the losing semi-finalists Nilesh Kobnak and L.S. Mahatre took home a cash award of Rs 6,000 each.
Results – Semi-finals (best-of-7): Ajinkya Yelve (NSCI) bt L.S. Mahatre (Tata SC) 4-1 (31-0, 21-46, 31-13, 38-1, 38-11);
Vishal Kadam (Amanora Club, Pune) bt Nilesh Kobnak (Willingdon Sports Club) 4-0 (47-11, 50-16, 36-22, 35-2).
