A Week of Exceptional Billiard Sports Action Concludes in Carlow with Sourav Kothari Lifting the 2025 IBSF World Billiards Championship Title

The 2025 IBSF World Billiards Championship was successfully held from April 12 to 16, 2025, at the world-class SBI Academy in Carlow, Ireland, hosted by Snooker and Billiards Ireland (SBI), the championship brought together top-tier talent from around the globe in what was a thrilling and high-quality billiard sports event.

This prestigious international billiards tournament followed directly after two Billiards events, the Irish Open and the Matchplay Championship, offering an extended celebration of English billiards for fans and players alike. Each participating country was allowed to send up to eight players, and the IBSF also extended invitations to the top eight players from the 2024 IBSF World Billiards (150 Up) Championship.

The competition format was set in a timed structure. Group stage matches were 90 minutes long, knockout rounds up to the quarter-finals were played for 120 minutes, the semi-final was set for 150 minutes, and the grand final lasted 180 minutes. This format tested both endurance and strategy, creating intense matchups throughout the tournament. Notably, this was the first IBSF timed-format championship held since 2015 in Adelaide, marking a significant return to the format after a decade.

Over five days, the SBI Academy hosted world-class cue action, culminating in an electrifying final on April 16.

In a highly anticipated championship match, Sourav Kothari emerged as the 2025 IBSF World Billiards Champion after defeating fellow Indian billiards legend Pankaj Advani. The final was a masterclass in precision, stamina, and tactical execution, with Kothari’s performance earning widespread admiration.

For the first time in the history of the Championship the match was officiated by a female referee Shuangyu Jia from Australia, marking a progressive and historic milestone in the sport. Her presence reflected a growing inclusivity in cue sports and inspired a new generation of officials.

This victory further cements Kothari’s place among the elite in world billiards, while Advani, a multiple-time world champion himself, demonstrated his unwavering class and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

The success of the 2025 championship also reflected the exceptional efforts of the host nation. The SBI Academy in Carlow received accolades for its top-tier facilities, professional setup, and smooth execution of the tournament. Players and officials praised the venue for delivering an ideal competitive atmosphere and our dedicated panel of Referees. Significantly, this was the first time in 12 years that any IBSF tournament was held in Carlow, Ireland, making it a landmark moment for Irish cue sports and adding historical weight to this remarkable edition.

The tournament also showcased some extraordinary individual brilliance, with a total of 111 century breaks recorded across all matches. Pankaj Advani led with an impressive 18 century breaks, followed closely by Sourav Kothari and Robert Hall, both achieving 13 century breaks. Additionally, 24 double-century breaks were recorded, adding to the spectacle and intensity of the event.

As the 2025 IBSF World Billiards Championship concludes, it stands as a testament to the global growth and continued excellence in the world of English billiards. With exciting rivalries, international participation, and a champion crowned in style, the event leaves fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in cue sports history.

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