Akani earns return to main circuit at Q School in Bangkok

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Thai potter Sunny Akani will return to the main professional World Snooker Tour after completing a 4-2 win over Ali Gharagozlou at the Asia and Oceania Q School in Bangkok.

The popular and talented two-time ranking event quarter-finalist lost his spot on the elite circuit amid a battle with long Covid two years ago, but completed a sixth win of the week over Iran’s Gharagozlou on Monday to rubber stamp fresh playing rights for the next two seasons.

“I was totally drained towards the end there,” said Akani on WST.

“When I was leading 3-0, I knew I had to focus as anyone can come back and turn the game around if you lose focus. Hats off to Ali for coming back strongly.

“I’m sure he will be a tough contender in the second event.”

Meanwhile, Malysia’s Kok Leong Lim claimed the second tour card from event one with a taut 4-3 win over former world No. 72 Gao Yang.

O’Sullivan but recovered from trailing 4-2 and 5-4 to scramble over the line before praising his opponent’s long potting.

The 28-year-old Akani was as high as 44 in the world rankings in 2021 and reached quarter-finals at the Shoot Out and Indian Open.

But he lost his tour card in 2022 and could not regain his spot on the circuit at Q School two years ago.

The Asia and Oceania Q School began at Rajamangala National Stadium on May 22, with the second qualifying event running until Sunday with two tournaments producing four places on the circuit for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.

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