Akani is setting his sights on securing six victories in the Asia and Oceania Q School, which commenced at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Wednesday. The qualifying tournament offers four spots for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons on the World Snooker Tour.
In 2017, Akani faced off against seven-time world champion O’Sullivan at York Barbican, where he was ranked 84th in the world. The 28-year-old surged ahead, taking a 2-0 lead and extending it to 4-2. He even found himself on the brink of victory when he went up 5-4 after clinching the ninth frame.
However, O’Sullivan rallied and claimed victory by winning the final two frames, securing a 6-5 win. Following the intense match, he complimented Akani, saying, “If I could pot long balls like you, I’d take them on as well.”
Akani was enjoying the form of his life during the tournament and had thumped 2013 World Snooker Championship runner-up Barry Hawkins 6-0 in the previous round.
And following his narrow defeat to O’Sullivan, the Thailand star explained: “It was a fantastic match. I tried to play more attacking. I really enjoyed it so I am very happy. He said I played a good standard and I was very good. In the 10th frame I potted the green and the blue but it can happen.”
