Which former postman won the World Snooker Championship at his first attempt in 1979?
"Terry Griffiths Terrence ""Terry"" Griffiths, (born 16 October 1947) is a retired Welsh snooker player and current snooker coach and pundit. He won the World Championship in 1979 at the first attempt, and reached the 1988 final. He also won the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982, making him one of ten players to have completed snooker's triple crown. He was known for his slow, cautious yet elegant style of play. Griffiths was born in Llanelli. A former postman, insurance salesman, miner and bus conductor, he had a long amateur career, winning the Welsh Amateur Championship in"
"six century breaks at the championship. The highest break of the tournament was 135 made by John Spencer. 1977 World Snooker Championship The 1977 World Snooker Championship (also known as the 1977 Embassy World Snooker Championship for the purposes of sponsorship) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 18 and 30 April 1977 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. John Spencer won in the final 25–21 against Cliff Thorburn. The event was sponsored by cigarette manufacturer Embassy. Spencer at aged 41 was the oldest Crucible champion until Ray Reardon won the 1978 Championship aged 45. The breakdown"
"1977 World Snooker Championship The 1977 World Snooker Championship (also known as the 1977 Embassy World Snooker Championship for the purposes of sponsorship) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 18 and 30 April 1977 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. John Spencer won in the final 25–21 against Cliff Thorburn. The event was sponsored by cigarette manufacturer Embassy. Spencer at aged 41 was the oldest Crucible champion until Ray Reardon won the 1978 Championship aged 45. The breakdown of prize money for this year is shown below: Numbers in (parentheses) indicate seedings. Sources: Source: There were"
"ranking tournaments in 1988 after failing a drug test. He is the father of two children, Jamie and Andrew. Thorburn won around C$2.5 million in prize money during his 25-year career but also received a considerable income from ""inter alia"" billiards equipment endorsements, exhibition games, a snooker instruction book and an autobiography, ""Playing for Keeps"", published in 1987. Cliff Thorburn Clifford Charles Devlin ""Cliff"" Thorburn (born January 16, 1948) is a Canadian retired professional snooker player. He won the World Snooker Championship in 1980, the first player from outside the United Kingdom to win the title in the sport's modern"
"Hal Fowler Harold Arthur ""Hal"" Fowler (January 12, 1927 – November 7, 2000) was an American poker player known for winning the 1979 World Series of Poker Main Event. He is considered the first amateur poker player to become poker's World Champion. Fowler was born in Vermont and later lived for many years in Tulare, California. Before his WSOP victory, he worked as an advertising executive. Although he was a relative unknown amateur player, Fowler won the 1979 World Series of Poker Main Event. At one point in the tournament, he was down to around 2,000 in chips (out of"
"professional the following year. He first entered the World Snooker Championship in 1933 when he lost in the semi-finals to Joe Davis. He missed the next few championships but came back in 1939 and reached the quarter-finals and went to the semi-finals the next year. The championship was then suspended for the remainder of the war, in which he served on the front line as Royal Signals Sergeant. The championship resumed in 1946, with Joe Davis winning again. Following that victory Davis retired from the event, leaving Walter, Joe's younger brother Fred, and Horace Lindrum vying for the number one"
"Cliff Thorburn Clifford Charles Devlin ""Cliff"" Thorburn (born January 16, 1948) is a Canadian retired professional snooker player. He won the World Snooker Championship in 1980, the first player from outside the United Kingdom to win the title in the sport's modern era. He was also ranked number one that year. In 1983, Thorburn became the first player to compile a maximum break at the World Championship. He is one of two snooker players inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, the other being George Chenier. His slow, determined style of play earned him the nickname ""The Grinder"". Thorburn first"
"career tournament earnings exceeded $380,000. He died at the age of 73 in a nursing home on November 7, 2000. Hal Fowler Harold Arthur ""Hal"" Fowler (January 12, 1927 – November 7, 2000) was an American poker player known for winning the 1979 World Series of Poker Main Event. He is considered the first amateur poker player to become poker's World Champion. Fowler was born in Vermont and later lived for many years in Tulare, California. Before his WSOP victory, he worked as an advertising executive. Although he was a relative unknown amateur player, Fowler won the 1979 World Series"
"top players. Having retired from professional play in 1997, he currently coaches top players such as Mark Williams, Marco Fu, Mark Allen, Ali Carter, Joe Perry, Barry Hawkins and Ding Junhui, and in the past has coached Stephen Hendry and Stephen Maguire. He is the Director of Coaching at the South West Snooker Academy. He also frequently commentates on snooker for the BBC. Terry Griffiths Terrence ""Terry"" Griffiths, (born 16 October 1947) is a retired Welsh snooker player and current snooker coach and pundit. He won the World Championship in 1979 at the first attempt, and reached the 1988 final."
"regarded as the birth of the modern snooker era) and Pulman failed to successfully defend his title. He reached the final in 1970 but lost to Ray Reardon. Pulman reached the semi-finals of the World Championship when it was first held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 1977, narrowly losing to the eventual winner John Spencer by 18 frames to 16. After a depressing run of results, Pulman was adjudged bankrupt on 7 February 1979 with debts of £5,916. By this time he was recently divorced, suffering from severe motivational problems and living in a hotel in Bromley. Pulman"
"1976 World Snooker Championship The 1976 World Snooker Championship (also known as the 1976 Embassy World Snooker Championship for sponsorship purposes) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place at two venues. This was the first world championship to be sponsored by Embassy; their sponsorship lasted for the next 30 years. Ray Reardon won in the final 27–16 against Alex Higgins. The leading 14 players in the Order of Merit received automatic entry to the final stages and were joined by two winners from the qualifying competition. The leading 8 in the Order of Merit were seeded. The Middlesbrough"
"since 1927, with Joe Davis becoming a key figure in the early growth of the sport with 15 championship wins from 1927 to 1946. The modern era began in 1969 after the BBC commissioned the snooker television show ""Pot Black"" and began to air the World Championship in 1978, leading to the sport's new peak in popularity. Ray Reardon dominated the game in the 1970s, Steve Davis in the 1980s, and Stephen Hendry in the 1990s; Ronnie O'Sullivan has won the most world titles since 2000. Top professional players now compete regularly around the world and earn millions of pounds."
"round-robin format and took the title. He became world amateur champion for a second time in 1966, defeating future world professional champion John Spencer in the final. In 1968 Owen, Spencer and Ray Reardon become the first players in a generation to turn professional. His best performance as a pro came in 1969 when he reached the final of the reconstituted World Professional Snooker Championship, losing to old rival Spencer by 37 frames to 24. A semi-finalist in 1970, he was defeated in the last eight in 1973 and 1975. Owen emigrated to Australia in 1971, taking a job as"
"and eventually won the match 25–18. Reardon became the oldest winner of the World Championship aged 45 years and 203 days this passed the previous record of Joe Davis who was aged 45 years and 33 days in 1946. This record still stands to this day. This was Reardon's sixth and last world title. The tournament was sponsored by cigarette manufacturer Embassy. The breakdown of prize money for this year is shown below: Numbers in (parentheses) indicate seedings. Sources: Source: There were seven century breaks at championship, the highest being 138 by John Spencer. 1978 World Snooker Championship The 1978"
"Mark Williams (snooker player) Mark James Williams, (born 21 March 1975) is a Welsh professional snooker player who is a three-time World Champion, winning in 2000, 2003, and 2018. As the current World Champion, he is due to defend his title at the 2019 World Snooker Championship in April/May 2019. Aged 43 when he triumphed in May 2018, he became the second oldest winner of the World Championship at the Crucible (Ray Reardon was the oldest winner in 1978, aged 45). Often noted for his single-ball long potting ability, Williams has earned the nickname ""The Welsh Potting Machine"". Williams has"
"months in Wormwood Scrubs for breaking into a warehouse. Pat Houlihan Patrick ""Pat"" Houlihan (7 November 1929 – 8 November 2006) was an English snooker player. He was born in Deptford, London. Pat Houlihan turned professional in 1971 at the age of 42 after many years as an amateur including beating future world champion John Spencer 11-3 at Blackpool Tower during the 1965 World Amateur Championship. Additionally, he lifted the BA&CC television tournament, one of snooker's first televised events. During his professional career his highest position in the world rankings was 18th, which he reached in 1979. His highest break"
"since the tournament moved to the Crucible Theatre in 1977. World Snooker Championship The World Snooker Championship is the leading snooker tournament both in terms of prestige and prize money. The first championship was held in 1927 and was won by Joe Davis. Davis won the first 15 championships before retiring from the event, undefeated, after his 1946 success. In the 1950s snooker went into a period of decline and the championship was not held after 1952, although an unofficial championship was held until 1957. In 1964 the championship was revived on a challenge basis and in 1969 the championship"
"champions Fred Davis and Ray Reardon before losing to Les Dodd in the round of 32. At the 1991 Grand Prix, Rowing led world champion Stephen Hendry 4-2 before eventually losing 5-4 in the round of 64. At the 1996 International Open Rowing defeated Doug Mountjoy and Tony Knowles before losing to Tony Drago in the round of 32. Mark Rowing Mark Rowing (born April 10, 1958) is a former professional snooker player from Doncaster. He won the English Amateur Snooker title in 1987 before turning professional and reached a highest ranking of 57 in the world. He won the"
"1980 World Snooker Championship The 1980 World Snooker Championship (also known as the 1980 Embassy World Snooker Championship for the purposes of sponsorship) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 22 April and 5 May 1980 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. Cliff Thorburn won in the final 18–16 against Alex Higgins. The tournament was sponsored by cigarette manufacturer Embassy. The breakdown of prize money for this year is shown below: Numbers in (parentheses) indicate seedings. Source: There were 11 century breaks at the championship. Kirk Stevens and Steve Davis shared the high break prize when"
"Championship. Stanley Newman (snooker player) Stanley Edward Newman (1900 – 11 June 1947) was an English professional player of English billiards and snooker. He was born Stanley Edward Pratt in London. Stanley Newman was the younger brother of Tom Newman. Newman twice reached the semi-final of the World Snooker Championship in 1936 and 1946. In 1936 he reached the semi-final by default, having a bye into the last-8 stage and then his opponent, Tom Dennis had to withdraw after having an operation on his right eye. Newman died of pneumonia in June 1947. He had played in the 1947 World"
"during a break from the game. His first child, with his ex-partner Sarah, a son named Max, was born in 2009. Ali Carter Allister ""Ali"" Carter (born 25 July 1979) is an English professional snooker player. He is a two-time World Championship runner-up, twice losing to Ronnie O'Sullivan, in 2008 and 2012. He has also won four ranking titles and been as high as second in the world rankings. His nickname, ""The Captain"", comes from his hobby, piloting aeroplanes. He lives in Chelmsford. Carter turned professional in 1996. He first emerged in 1999, winning the WPBSA Association Young Player of"
"Tony Knowles (snooker player) Anthony ""Tony"" Knowles (born 13 June 1955, in Bolton, Lancashire) is an English former professional snooker player. He was a three times semi-finalist in the World Professional Snooker Championship in the 1980s. Knowles began playing snooker at the age of 3 on the tables at the social club run by his father, Kevin. He went on to win the UK Junior Championship twice, in 1972 and in 1974, and continued to study graphic art. Knowles's application was twice turned down, leading him to threaten the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association with legal action before being"
"World Snooker Championship The World Snooker Championship is the leading snooker tournament both in terms of prestige and prize money. The first championship was held in 1927 and was won by Joe Davis. Davis won the first 15 championships before retiring from the event, undefeated, after his 1946 success. In the 1950s snooker went into a period of decline and the championship was not held after 1952, although an unofficial championship was held until 1957. In 1964 the championship was revived on a challenge basis and in 1969 the championship became a knock-out event again. Since 1977 it has been"
"MBE in June 2004. Mark Williams (snooker player) Mark James Williams, (born 21 March 1975) is a Welsh professional snooker player who is a three-time World Champion, winning in 2000, 2003, and 2018. As the current World Champion, he is due to defend his title at the 2019 World Snooker Championship in April/May 2019. Aged 43 when he triumphed in May 2018, he became the second oldest winner of the World Championship at the Crucible (Ray Reardon was the oldest winner in 1978, aged 45). Often noted for his single-ball long potting ability, Williams has earned the nickname ""The Welsh"
"to be a very important step in re-establishing snooker as a viable sport, with amateur rivals Gary Owen following suit in September 1967 and Ray Reardon on December 3 of that year. This influx of new professionals led to the World Championship being revived on a challenge basis in the 1968/9 season. He first won the World Championship in 1969 after being loaned £100 by his bank to raise the entry fee. On 22 November 1968, Spencer defeated reigning world champion John Pulman 25–18 in his opening match before going on to defeat Rex Williams 37–12 and Gary Owen 37–24"
"Perrie Mans Pierre ""Perrie"" Mans (born 14 October 1940) is a retired professional snooker player from South Africa, who first won the South African Professional Championship in 1965, and won the event 19 times. Mans won the Benson & Hedges Masters in 1979 and reached the final of the World Championship in 1978. Mans' father, Peter Mans, who died in 1975, was also a professional snooker player, making the quarter-finals of the 1950 World Snooker Championship. Mans won the South African Amateur Championship in 1960, the only occasion in which he competed in the event. He then turned professional and"
"only player to have won this title as well as two World Amateur titles at snooker. Edmonds was less successful as a professional, but became World Professional Billiards Champion in 1985. Edmonds set up the Ray Edmonds Snooker Centre in Grimsby in December 1983. He has worked also a snooker commentator with both ITV and the BBC, before retiring in 2004.He now resides in Spain. Ray Edmonds Ray Edmonds (born 25 April 1936 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire) is a former English professional player of English billiards and snooker. He twice won the World Amateur Snooker title, and won the World Professional"
"John Spencer (snooker player) John Spencer (18 September 1935 – 11 July 2006) was an English professional snooker player who won the World Professional title at his first attempt, was the first winner at the Crucible Theatre, was the inaugural winner of the Masters and Irish Masters and was the first player to make a 147 break in competition. This is regarded as an unofficial maximum break as the event used non templated tables. Spencer was born in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester. Spencer started his snooker career at the age of 15. Snooker was in decline during his youth, and he"
"in Newport, Wales. 1999 World Snooker Championship The 1999 World Snooker Championship (also referred to as the 1999 Embassy World Snooker Championship for the purposes of sponsorship) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 17 April–3 May 1999 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. John Higgins was the defending champion, but he lost in the semi-finals 10–17 against Mark Williams and became another World Champion who fell to the Crucible curse and could not defend his first World title. Stephen Hendry won his seventh and final World title by defeating Mark Williams in the final by"
"each player winning two. The Championship Cup was afterwards presented by Dr. Tinsley Lindley. 1929 World Snooker Championship The 1929 World Snooker Championship was a snooker tournament held between 17 December 1928 and 7 March 1929 at various venues in England, with the final beginning on 4 March 1929. Joe Davis won his third World title by defeating Tom Dennis 19–14 in the final. ""Dead"" frames were played, the score when Davis won the match was 17–12. The highest break of the tournament was 61 made by Davis in the final. Five players entered the Championship: Joe Davis (Chesterfield), Tom"
"1929 World Snooker Championship The 1929 World Snooker Championship was a snooker tournament held between 17 December 1928 and 7 March 1929 at various venues in England, with the final beginning on 4 March 1929. Joe Davis won his third World title by defeating Tom Dennis 19–14 in the final. ""Dead"" frames were played, the score when Davis won the match was 17–12. The highest break of the tournament was 61 made by Davis in the final. Five players entered the Championship: Joe Davis (Chesterfield), Tom Dennis (Nottingham), Fred Lawrence (Birmingham), Alec Mann (Birmingham) and Kelsall Prince (Loughborough). In July"
"his title in 2013, O'Sullivan became the first player to successfully defend the world championship since 1996 when Hendry won the sixth of his seven titles, his fifth in a row, and then later by Mark Selby in 2017. Snooker Snooker (, ) is a cue sport which originated among British Army officers stationed in India in the later half of the 19th century. It is played on a rectangular table covered with a green cloth, or baize, with pockets at each of the four corners and in the middle of each long side. Using a cue and 22 coloured"
"London. After winning the title, Reardon was in big demand for exhibitions and on the holiday camp circuit. Winning the first ever ""Pot Black"" in 1969 made him instantly recognisable; Reardon and John Spencer were the first to capitalise on the snooker boom in the early 1970s. Reardon also became popular because he added a touch of humour and entertainment to his game. A deadly long potter and tactician in his prime, he played seventeen World Championship matches without defeat and won the title four years in succession. He won his second in 1973 in Manchester when he beat Eddie"