World Snooker Tour newcomer Himanshu Jain targeting titles

Himanshu Jain earned himself a two-year professional tour card at the Asia-Oceania Q School last week and is aiming to make a big impact on the circuit.

The 30-year-old is one of four men to come through the first ever Q School hosted in Asia, with Thai pair Dechawat Poomjaeng and Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon and Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif joining the Indian in victory in Bangkok.

The two Thai players are returning to the tour, while Asif and Jain are turning pro for the first time and the Indian talent hopes to make a big impression.

He has had a crack at Q School in the UK before, reaching a quarter-final in 2018, and now he wants to go a lot further and pick up some silverware.

‘As they say, it is a dream come true for me,’ Jain told SportStar. ‘The biggest challenge was against Indonesian Pochawat Pomjaeng in the final round. I had to counter his amazing break-building ability with safety play which has always been my strength.

‘Getting the better of Asjad Iqbal of Pakistan in the pre-quarterfinal. He was tipped as one of the favourites and I am glad that I could play my best snooker under pressure.

‘I had attempted this [Q School] for the first time in 2018 and 2019. This time around, I got a bye in the first round and won the next four matches to remain unbeaten.

‘Now, I am looking forward to winning at least a couple of World Pro Tour titles.’

Poomjaeng is the most recognisable name to come through the first ever Asia-Oceania Q School, having become something of a cult hero during his first spell on tour.

The 43-year-old, known as Mr Poombastic, memorably beat Stephen Maguire 10-9 in the first round of the 2013 World Championship after he stormed through qualifying, beating Anthony Hamilton 10-4 and Jamie Cope 10-3.

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