Bob nowhere close to retirement

AHMEDABAD, SEPTEMBER 24: At an age when many would be going around with a walking stick, 63-year-old Bob Close is among the 10 best human...

AHMEDABAD, SEPTEMBER 24: At an age when many would be going around with a walking stick, 63-year-old Bob Close is among the 10 best humans in the world who walks with a cue playing a three ball game. And to this day, he is enjoying every bit of that stroll which he commenced more than five decades back.

8220;The day I stop enjoying the game and become another number on the ranking list, I will quit,8221; he said. But, 8220;if, at times, billiards gets monotonous, I play snooker.8221; With such love for the game, he seems glued to the table like the green baize.

On his first visit to the city for the World Billiards Championship, Close could get a taste of local favour during his first outing. If 25-year-old local boy Rupesh Shah wins his first round match, the youngster will play Close, the oldest in fray.

Hailing from Hartlepool in north-east England, Close took the game at the age of 10. 8220;Not just billiards, I was also into football, boxing and cricket. But billiards was special,8221; he said. But as time passed,boxing and football have been replaced by a more somber sport. But he also follows cricket and football. Not just that, he also inquired about the Davis Cup tennis match between India and England.

The hallmark of Close is his consistency. The high point of his career was the World Championship final which he lost to Michael Ferreira. What separates him from the rest on the circuit is his attitude towards the game.

His sole goal is enjoyment. 8220;I came from an era when sports was something to be enjoyed. Today, it is all money,8221; he said.

But Close is not the one to sit and rue. 8220;And we seniors are there to explain these things to juniors.8221;

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With enthusiasm in abundance and skills, it8217;s an open and shut case 8212; the Bob saga is not closing. Not yet anyway.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More