Sourav Kothari, a 41-year-old billiards champion from Kolkata, recently won the IBSF World Billiards Championship in Carlow, Ireland, defeating Indian player Pankaj Advani with a score of 1133-477. This victory is bittersweet for Kothari, as it comes just four months after the death of his father and mentor, Manoj Kothari. He expressed that while he is still grappling with grief, a sense of numbness allowed him to manage the pressure during the tournament effectively. Kothari noted that his father's absence is felt deeply, stating, 'I still am battling a lot of my demons in the head.' In addition to reflecting on his personal struggles, Kothari is advocating for the inclusion of cue sports in the upcoming 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, emphasizing the sport's potential for India to win medals. He also highlighted the need for improved infrastructure to support grassroots billiards in India, aiming to increase participation in the sport.