Chennai’s Anupama Ramachandran etched her name in Indian sporting history on Thursday, becoming the first Indian woman to win the IBSF World Snooker Championship after defeating Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee in a breathtaking final that came down to the very last ball. The 23-year-old cueist held her nerve to clinch a dramatic 3-2 victory in Doha, Qatar, sealing India’s maiden women’s world snooker title with a moment of brilliance that will be remembered for generations.
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The Final Black That Changed History
The championship final delivered edge-of-the-seat drama worthy of its historic significance. Anupama Ramachandran faced three-time world champion Ng On Yee in a best-of-five frames encounter that swung back and forth, with neither player willing to surrender. After losing the opening frame 51-74, the Indian star fought back to level at 1-1 with a 65-41 victory in the second frame.
| IBSF World Championship Final Score |
|---|
| Frame 1: Ng On Yee 74-51 Anupama Ramachandran |
| Frame 2: Anupama Ramachandran 65-41 Ng On Yee |
| Frame 3: Ng On Yee 71-10 Anupama Ramachandran |
| Frame 4: Anupama Ramachandran 78-20 Ng On Yee |
| Frame 5: Anupama Ramachandran 68-60 Ng On Yee |
| Final Result: Anupama Ramachandran wins 3-2 |
On Yee reasserted her dominance in the third frame with a commanding 71-10 victory, putting Anupama Ramachandran on the brink at 2-1 down. Facing elimination, the Chennai cueist produced her best snooker when it mattered most. She compiled a composed 29-break under immense pressure in the fourth frame, winning 78-20 to force the decisive fifth frame.
The decider became an instant classic in world snooker history. Anupama Ramachandran started aggressively, potting a difficult long red to the top right pocket, but snookered herself three times during the frame, offering her experienced opponent multiple opportunities to seize control. On Yee struggled with safety play but gradually accumulated points, clearing green, brown, blue, and pink to establish a 61-42 lead with just 25 points remaining on the table.
At this critical juncture, Anupama Ramachandran played a poor safety shot on the green, which stuck to the pink near the cushion, seemingly gifting the match to her opponent. With only the black remaining and the score at 60-61, On Yee approached what should have been a routine pot—one she would normally convert without hesitation. In an unexpected turn, the Hong Kong champion missed the straightforward black. Anupama Ramachandran jumped from her chair, composed herself, and sank the difficult black into the bottom left pocket to emerge as world champion.
Journey to the Championship
Anupama Ramachandran’s path to the IBSF World Snooker Championship title showcased her exceptional talent against top international competition. In the semifinals held late Wednesday evening, she defeated compatriot Keerthana Pandian 3-1 in an all-Indian clash, winning frames 65-46, 78-30, and 57-9 after dropping the third frame 16-70.
| Anupama Ramachandran’s Major Achievements |
|---|
| 2023 – World Women’s Snooker World Cup winner (with Amee Kamani) |
| 2023 – World Women’s Under-21 Champion |
| 2024 – Asian Snooker Champion |
| 2024 – US Women’s Open runner-up |
| 2025 – IBSF World Snooker Champion |
Her journey in world snooker began spectacularly in 2023 when she made her World Women’s Snooker Tour debut at the World Cup event in Thailand. Partnering with fellow Indian Amee Kamani, Anupama Ramachandran claimed a sensational title victory, defeating formidable teams including Thailand’s top squads before stunning England’s powerhouse duo of 12-time world champion Reanne Evans and world number four Rebecca Kenna in the final.
Following that breakthrough, Anupama Ramachandran continued her impressive form by reaching the last 16 on her maiden World Women’s Snooker Championship appearance. She then defeated two-time defending champion Ploychompoo Laokiatphong to capture the World Women’s Under-21 title at the Hi-End Snooker Club, signaling her arrival as a force in international cue sports.
From Summer Camp to World Champion
Anupama Ramachandran’s introduction to snooker happened almost by chance during a summer coaching camp at the Mylapore Club in Chennai in 2015. Faced with a choice between chess and snooker, the curious youngster chose to learn how snooker was played. Her natural talent immediately caught the coach’s attention, who encouraged her to pursue the sport seriously.
She enrolled in the State Championships that same year and progressed to the National Championships the following year. Her rapid development through the domestic circuit laid the foundation for international success that would follow. After completing her graduate degree from M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women in Chennai earlier this year, Anupama Ramachandran has devoted herself fully to conquering the world stage.
The 23-year-old’s breakthrough year in 2024 saw her claim the Asian Snooker Championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, defeating Thailand’s Panchaya Channoi 3-1 in the final. That victory marked her first senior international title and boosted her confidence heading into bigger challenges. In August 2024, she reached the final of the US Women’s Open in Seattle, finishing as runner-up to Ng On Yee—the same opponent she would defeat months later for the world championship.
Regional Pride and National Glory
Born and raised in Tamil Nadu, Anupama Ramachandran takes immense pride in representing both her state and country on the world stage. She served as flag bearer for the Tamil Nadu contingent at the opening ceremony of the 2023 National Games in Goa, a moment that reflected her status as one of the state’s premier sporting talents.
Her world championship triumph carries special significance for Indian women’s snooker. While legendary cueist Pankaj Advani has dominated men’s cue sports for decades, winning 28 world billiards titles and multiple snooker championships, Indian women had never captured the IBSF World Snooker crown until Anupama Ramachandran’s historic victory in Doha.
The championship marked redemption of sorts for the Indian contingent after Amee Kamani, seeded number two in the knockouts, surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 2-3 against Hong Kong’s So Man Yan in the quarterfinals. Anupama Ramachandran and Keerthana Pandian ensured that India still had strong representation in the final stages of the tournament.
Precision Under Pressure
What distinguished Anupama Ramachandran’s championship run was her ability to perform when facing elimination. Throughout the tournament, she demonstrated composure that belied her age, staging multiple comebacks against top-ranked opponents. Her 29-break in the fourth frame of the final, executed under the pressure of facing match point, showcased the mental strength that separates champions from contenders.
Former world under-21 champion Keerthana Pandian, who fell to Anupama Ramachandran in the semifinals, praised her compatriot’s resilience and shot-making ability. The two Indians have pushed each other to greater heights, creating a competitive environment that has elevated Indian women’s snooker to unprecedented levels.
Anupama Ramachandran’s victory also highlighted her evolution as a complete player. While her break-building remains her greatest strength, she has developed a sophisticated safety game and improved her tactical awareness significantly over the past two years. Her ability to recover from snookering herself three times in the deciding frame demonstrated problem-solving skills under extreme pressure.
Impact on Indian Cue Sports
The historic triumph positions Anupama Ramachandran among India’s elite cue sports athletes. Her world championship adds to a stellar 2024 for Indian cue sports, which saw Pankaj Advani win his 28th world billiards title, Kamal Chawla claim the IBSF World 6-Red Snooker Championship, and L Shruthi capture the Women’s World Billiards Championship.
However, Anupama Ramachandran’s achievement resonates particularly powerfully for aspiring female cueists across India. Her journey from a curious teenager at a Chennai summer camp to world champion in a decade provides a roadmap for young girls considering cue sports as a serious athletic pursuit.
The victory also validates India’s growing investment in women’s cue sports infrastructure and coaching. Anupama Ramachandran has benefited from access to quality tables, professional coaching, and international exposure through tournaments organized by the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India.
Looking Ahead
At just 23 years old and ranked eighth in the world women’s snooker standings, Anupama Ramachandran’s best years lie ahead. Her world championship victory establishes her as a genuine contender for every major title in women’s snooker. With her combination of natural talent, competitive temperament, and work ethic, she appears destined to accumulate more silverware in the coming years.
The Chennai champion has expressed gratitude for the support from her family, coaches, and the Indian cue sports community. Her immediate goals include breaking into the world’s top five and winning more ranking events on the World Women’s Snooker Tour.
For Indian sports fans, Anupama Ramachandran’s triumph represents another breakthrough in a nation increasingly making its mark across diverse athletic disciplines. From badminton courts to snooker tables, Indian women are conquering new frontiers and inspiring the next generation of champions.
The image of Anupama Ramachandran potting the final black to become world champion will endure as one of Indian sport’s defining moments—a reminder that history belongs to those brave enough to seize it when everything hangs in the balance.
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FAQs
Who is Anupama Ramachandran?
Anupama Ramachandran is a 23-year-old professional snooker player from Chennai, India, who became the first Indian woman to win the IBSF World Snooker Championship by defeating Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee 3-2 in the final held in Doha, Qatar, on November 14, 2025.
What other major titles has Anupama Ramachandran won?
Anupama Ramachandran previously won the 2024 Asian Snooker Championship, the 2023 World Women’s Under-21 Championship, and the 2023 World Women’s Snooker World Cup (team event with Amee Kamani). She was also runner-up at the 2024 US Women’s Open.
How did Anupama Ramachandran win the world championship final?
Anupama Ramachandran won 3-2 in a dramatic final where she potted the decisive black ball in the fifth frame after opponent Ng On Yee missed a straightforward pot with the score at 60-61, allowing the Indian to seal a historic victory.
When did Anupama Ramachandran start playing snooker?
Anupama Ramachandran began playing snooker in 2015 during a summer coaching camp at the Mylapore Club in Chennai when she was around 13 years old, quickly showing natural talent that impressed her coaches and led to competitive success.
What is Anupama Ramachandran’s current world ranking?
Following her world championship victory, Anupama Ramachandran is ranked eighth in the world women’s snooker standings, with her historic triumph expected to significantly improve her position in upcoming rankings updates.
