When ‘Cue’pid

As an athletic youngster training in table tennis, badminton and swimming at the Gujarat Sports Club, Rupesh Shah’s introduction to a sport that has made him famous, billiards, was almost coincidental. Peeking into a room where his older brother Erine was playing a game with billiards star Geet Sethi, Rupesh recalls how the atmosphere attracted him. “I took a look at the green baize table, felt the cool air in the air-conditioned hall and that was it,” he recounts, adding, “You may have to sweat it out for other sports, but not for billiards!” Well, not for real anyway — although Rupesh has done a fine job of making his opponents sweat it out at the World Billiards Championship, which he’s won in 2007 and 2012, as well as the Asian Billiards Championship, which he won in April this year. “The Asian Billiards title was important to me. I’d won the World crown in 2012, but this was one title I didn’t have. I’d lost it to Pankaj Advani in 2008 and never won it since. So it was a significant moment,” he says. Just how significant would emerge in August 2013, when Rupesh’s name was on the list of Arjuna Award recipients for 2013. Rupesh dedicated his award to Geet Sethi. “(When I was younger) Geet Sethi was the one who cut the most inspiring figure. I would observe his moves and practise them diligently. Later, we travelled together for tournaments and he would always encourage me. When a senior mentors you like that, it means a lot,” Rupesh says. “When things wouldn’t go well, he’d remind me to focus on my game. There was a time in 2010-11, when I didn’t win any titles, but he helped me through it. He’s my idol. What my game is today is because of him.” Apart from the tips he picked up from Geet, what also helps Rupesh’s game is his ability to maintain complete calm under pressure. “The intense focus or concentration comes naturally to me. I rarely need to do anything to get that state of mind. Sometimes — very rarely though — I listen to music, like the navkar mantra, because I’m a Jain,” he says. However, he does recommend meditation if you want to take the game to the next level. “In billiards, to excel, what is paramount is patience. It’s not all about action, like tennis or cricket. Sometimes, all you’re doing is sitting in a chair, waiting for the other player to make a move,” Rupesh says. A regular day in the life of this Ahmedabad resident begins between 7.30 am with breakfast at 8 am, followed by quality time with family. Rupesh says, “I use this time to sit with my father and talk to him. On some days, I head out to practise by 11.30 am — but usually, I tend to train between 2 pm to 6 pm. Once I’m home, it’s time to unwind with family. My son is in class seven and is interested in sports. He’s being coached in tennis.” Family time is important because tournaments can take Rupesh away for 10 to 15 days. “My wife knows that this is a consequence of my profession and is very understanding. That’s important for any sportsperson,” Rupesh says, “My parents too have supported and encouraged me. They believed that I would do something with my life, amount to something. It is this faith that has seen me through.”