22.10.09

THE INTERNATIONAL ELEVEN #3

JAMES WATTANA (Thailand)

Years as professional: 1989-2008, 2009-
Ranking titles: 3
Ranking finals: 8
Other titles: 5
Highest ranking: 3
Years in top 16: 7
Crucible appearances: 13

Wattana rose to prominence when, at 16, he won an invitation event staged by Matchroom in his native Thailand.

He won the 1988 world amateur title and turned professional the following year, where he single-handedly sparked a snooker boom in Thailand by reaching the Asian Open final in Bangkok, losing out to Stephen Hendry.

Very quickly Wattana became established as one of the leading players of the 1990s. He was a formidable long potter and break builder and his run at the top sustained snooker in Thailand long before the Chinese boom.

Wattana won his first ranking title at the 1992 Strachan Open and won two more back home in Bangkok in 1994 and 1995.

He won five other titles, including the 1992 World Matchplay and Belgian Masters but is possibly best known for making a 147 break at the 1992 British Open shortly after learning his father had been shot.

His joy at the break was quickly ended by the news that his father had subsequently died from his injuries.

That was one of three competitive maximums he made. He was also twice a Crucible semi-finalist

Wattana had his problems and slipped down the rankings and off the tour in 2008. However, he won the Asian Championship earlier this year and is now back on the circuit.

1 comment:

shaun said...

looked like he was the real deal when he came on the scene but never lived up to his potential.Met him in wigan doing a exhabition and a really nice bloke good luck james