Geet Sethi Returns to World Billiards at 65 After Six-Year Break
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
- Sep 12, 2026
- 188
Geet Sethi, one of India's most celebrated billiards players, is making a competitive return at the age of 65 as he prepares to participate in the World Billiards Championship 2026 in England.
The five-time professional world champion will compete in the championship scheduled to take place in Great Wyrley, England, from October 19 to 22. His appearance will mark Sethi's return to the World Billiards Championship after a gap of six years.
Based in Ahmedabad, Sethi began playing cue sports in 1974 and went on to build one of the most distinguished careers in Indian billiards. He last competed at the World Championship in 2018, reaching the knockout stage.
Geet Sethi decides to make billiards comeback
Sethi's return to competitive billiards began taking shape earlier this year after former cue sports player and teammate Ashok Shandilya persuaded him to participate in a cue sports league in Dadar, Mumbai.
Although he entered the Mumbai tournament without significant preparation, the experience reignited his enthusiasm for the sport.
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Sethi said the competition was intended to be a casual outing, but the enjoyment he found there eventually encouraged him to start practising again.
“I went into that tournament without much practice. But I had a lot of fun. After returning home, I said to myself, 'Let's start. I'll just play a little bit,'” Sethi said.
Five-time World Professional Billiards Champion
Geet Sethi remains one of the biggest names in Indian cue sports.
He won the World Professional Billiards Championship five times, claiming the title in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998 and 2006.
His achievements also extend to amateur competition. Sethi became World Amateur Billiards Champion three times, winning the championship in 1985, 1987 and 2001.
His long career has made him one of the most accomplished billiards players produced by India.
Gujarat tournament adds momentum to comeback
Sethi continued his return to competitive cue sports by participating in another tournament at the Gujarat Sports Club in June.
The event followed a format similar to the Mumbai competition and allowed the veteran player to reconnect with fellow competitors and members of India's cue sports community.
Sethi recalled the tournament as an enjoyable experience, particularly because of the atmosphere and the opportunity to meet people associated with the sport.
“It was great to play to the music and meet the entire cue sports fraternity,” he said. “It was a great experience.”
Geet Sethi won five Asian Games medals
Sethi's international record also includes five Asian Games medals for India.
At the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, he won gold in the team competition and silver in singles. At the 2002 Busan Asian Games, he secured silver in the team event and bronze in singles.
He added another medal at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, winning bronze as part of India's team.
These performances cemented his status as one of India's leading cue sports athletes on the international stage.
Major sporting honours for Geet Sethi
Sethi's contribution to Indian sport has been recognised through several prestigious national awards.
He received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna for 1992–93, an award now known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. He was also honoured with the Padma Shri in 1986 and the Arjuna Award.
At 65, Sethi is now preparing for another challenge on the international billiards circuit. His return to the World Billiards Championship will bring one of India's most decorated cue sports figures back onto the global stage.
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