India’s Anupama Ramachandran etched her name into sporting history this week by becoming the very first Indian woman to win the IBSF World Snooker Championship, held in Doha, Qatar. The 23-year-old from Chennai overcame Hong Kong’s veteran Ng On Yee in a nail-biting duel, seizing victory on the last black ball in front of a captivated audience. Her victory marks a major milestone for Indian cue sports, and is expected to inspire a new generation of talent in snooker and billiards across the country.​

Tense Final: Battle of Nerves

The match between Ramachandran and three-time world champion Ng On Yee turned into a classic snooker showdown, full of drama and bold comebacks. After dropping the first frame 51-74, Ramachandran found rhythm and levelled the contest with a 65-41 win in the second. On Yee responded strongly in the third frame, putting pressure back on the Indian with a 71-10 performance. Undeterred, Ramachandran came roaring back in the fourth frame, delivering a gritty 29-break and clinching it 78-20. This set the stage for a deciding fifth frame, with fans on the edge of their seats.​

The final frame witnessed both players missing critical chances under immense pressure. Ramachandran, leading 61-42 with 25 points to play, faltered with a poor safety on the green ball, giving On Yee a lifeline. The Hong Kong star potted the green, brown, blue, and pink, but missed a routine black with the scores at 60-61. Ramachandran seized the opportunity, carefully potting the difficult black into the left pocket to seal the match and the championship.​

Comebacks and Character Under Pressure

The Chennai cueist’s journey through the final showcased her determination and fighting spirit. Twice she rallied from behind, first to level the match and later to force the decider with a composed break in the fourth. Her resilience not only impressed snooker fans but also demonstrated the growing depth of talent in Indian cue sports. Ramachandran’s tactical approach in tense moments—alternating safety play with attacking shots—reflected a maturity beyond her years.​

Throughout the final, Anupama balanced cautious safety play with bold potting, giving her rival windows of opportunity, but nearly always recovering with calm play. Her ability to maintain composure on the deciding black ball under championship pressure is being hailed as a defining moment for Indian snooker, marking the first time a woman from the country has lifted the coveted global trophy.​

Building on Recent Asian Glory

Anupama Ramachandran’s triumph builds on her growing reputation as one of India’s premier women’s cueists. Just last year, she lifted the Asian Snooker Championship title, defeating Thailand’s Panchaya Channoi 3-1—a win that signalled her arrival on the international stage. In the World Snooker Championship in Doha, she advanced to the final by beating compatriot Keerthana Pandian 3-1 in the semifinals, while Pandian went on to secure the bronze medal and Hong Kong’s On Yee advanced with a comfortable victory over So Man Yan.​

Her latest title is not just a personal milestone but a major win for Indian women’s snooker. India has previously had two silver and twelve bronze medals in the IBSF World Snooker Championship women’s category since 2003, with notable finalists like Vidya Pillai and Amee Kamani. Ramachandran’s victory now raises the bar and puts India firmly on the world snooker map.​

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