AHMEDABAD: For ages, it was multiple world champion
Geet Sethi whose name would be synonyms to cue sports in Gujarat.
But, as much as the landscape of the state changing in quick time, the scenario in the sport too is going through a transition phase where a semi-retired Sethi is happy to take the back seat.
Breaking away from the shadow of his senior, Ahmedabad's other son
Rupesh Shah is no more playing the second fiddle to Sethi and is making now leading from the front.
Carrying on the rich legacy of billiards on his able shoulders, Shah first came to the fore when he won a bronze medal at Doha Asian Games. It was, however, his world title (points format) in 2007 in Singapore that made him a known face.
A lull of five years, Shah hit the right form again when he captured his second world title in 2012 held in
Leeds, UK. This title not only gave him a much deserved
Arjuna Award but also anointed him the new face of Gujarat's cue sport.
His recent exploits at the inaugural Team Billiards is worth mentioning. Joining hands with other world champions, Shah was part of the India 'B' that picked up gold recently. Apart from that, I silver medal in the individual event served as the icing of the cake.
With this performance, one can say that Rupesh has arrived at the big stage and just pocketing it right!