Remembering Paul Hunter
Coming up to the Paul Hunter Classic (PTC 4) this week. I think it's apt that we have a thread remembering the great man.
The man gave us so many memories over the years, from his run in the 2003 World Championships and that match against Ken Doherty, to his plan-b inspired comebacks in the Masters tournaments, it was a loss to snooker the day he died. But an even bigger loss to his wife and young child. Such a shame this gifted and popular snooker player didn't give us more memories.
The first time I attended The Masters live I watched two matches on the opening Sunday, the second one being Mark Williams vs Paul Hunter. By this time Paul Hunter was clearly very ill. He had lost his trademark blonde hair due to chemotherapy and was completely bald. It was a foregone conclusion who would win, with Mark Williams running out a 6-3 winner. Though I must confess it was hard viewing, and even Mark Williams looked a tad uncomfortable in winning, the one person who had no qualms about being out there was Paul himself. Apparently in an interview afterwards, he came out beaming, smiling. Saying; "Did you see that, I won three frames?" At this point he was just happy to be playing a game he loved, everything else had been put in perspective. He wasn't one for just sitting around feeling sorry for himself, like a lot of us would.
A great man, and one for whom I hope PTC 4 is a classic in fitting with the classic memories he gave us.
The man gave us so many memories over the years, from his run in the 2003 World Championships and that match against Ken Doherty, to his plan-b inspired comebacks in the Masters tournaments, it was a loss to snooker the day he died. But an even bigger loss to his wife and young child. Such a shame this gifted and popular snooker player didn't give us more memories.
The first time I attended The Masters live I watched two matches on the opening Sunday, the second one being Mark Williams vs Paul Hunter. By this time Paul Hunter was clearly very ill. He had lost his trademark blonde hair due to chemotherapy and was completely bald. It was a foregone conclusion who would win, with Mark Williams running out a 6-3 winner. Though I must confess it was hard viewing, and even Mark Williams looked a tad uncomfortable in winning, the one person who had no qualms about being out there was Paul himself. Apparently in an interview afterwards, he came out beaming, smiling. Saying; "Did you see that, I won three frames?" At this point he was just happy to be playing a game he loved, everything else had been put in perspective. He wasn't one for just sitting around feeling sorry for himself, like a lot of us would.
A great man, and one for whom I hope PTC 4 is a classic in fitting with the classic memories he gave us.
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