Bengaluru: For a man who has already conquered the world 28 times, the challenge was no longer about proving his credentials to the world. It was about proving something to himself. And Pankaj Advani did just that, producing a breathtaking comeback to add another golden chapter to his glittering career with a record-extending 29th world title at the WBL World Billiards Championship in Great Wyrley, England.The 41-year-old cueist, who had gone two years without a world billiards crown, dug deep when the title appeared to be slipping away. Trailing England’s Robert Hall by more than 300 points in the five-hour final, Advani summoned a remarkable second wind, stitching together breaks of 210 and 587 – the highest in the world championship this year – to turn the contest on its head and register a 1906-1206 victory.Hall, who had reached the world championship final five times without winning it, could only watch in disbelief as Advani took control of a match that Hall thought he had under control.For Advani, however, the triumph was as much about the work that went into it as the numbers beside his name. The world title drought in billiards had stirred a hunger that even 28 world titles could not satisfy.“It’s an incredible feeling to win the oldest world championship trophy in the history of global sport – the John Roberts Trophy. I’m rushing off to the next tournament, so the feeling is still sinking in, but this one is very special. To win it against the best players in the world makes it even more satisfying. The world’s best were in the field and that makes the win even more special,” Advani told TOI from Great Wyrley.“Despite this being my 29th world title, I was hungrier than ever because I hadn’t won a world billiards title in two years. I knew I had to do something different with my preparation and adopt a new approach. The intent to win was much stronger this time, and I think that made a difference. That change in mindset and approach ultimately helped me win the tournament,” he added. His last world triumph was in the IBSF 150-up format in 2024, where he defeated Hall in the final.The Bengalurian, who recently took to competitive pool and won both the 9-ball and 10-ball national titles, has shown little inclination to settle into a comfortable routine. Even after years of dominance in billiards and snooker, he continues to seek fresh challenges and ways to sharpen his game.“Going into the championship, my mindset was different. This time I wanted to prove to myself that I could win this tournament. I prepared accordingly, made the changes. I kept telling myself that I could do it, and that belief helped me get across the line,” he added.The road to the title was hardly straightforward for Advani. He was the only Indian to make the semifinals after beating compatriot Sourav Kothari 1134-575 in the quarterfinals before overcoming the in-form David Causier 1607-1271 in the last four. Last year, India’s Dhruv Sitwala had lost in the final to England’s David Causier.