Aditya Mehta with the trophy

Aditya Mehta was crowned as the national snooker champion and No. 1 snooker player in the country after he defeated five-time champion Alok Kumar by six frames to two in the final of the championships held in Chennai on August 9. This is Mehta’s first ever national title – having been runner up in 2007 and losing in the semi-finals in 2009.

The victory was yet another feather in his cap for the cueist who has had an impressive run during the last 12 months. He won a team silver and an individual bronze in the Asian Games, wasrunner-up in the Asian Snooker Championships and emerged victorious in the national selection tournament as well.

Speaking to the press, Mehta referred to the title as the ‘missing item' on his already impressive resume. He said, “It has been at the back of my mind that I have never won the national title. My parents, too, were desperate to see me as the national champion, so I’m relieved that they are relieved.”

In another interview he added, "I have been dreaming of this day for many years now. This time I was determined to win. Right now I don't know what to say or how to react. I guess it hasn't quite sunk in."

He also said that he was thrilled to win the title with his mother watching from the stands. "I hardly get to see my mother because of my snooker commitments. It was special she was here to watch me win."