A Tribute to Snooker Great-Marco Fu

I grew up in snooker crazy Ireland and lived through the hysteria of the 80′s when the game was as huge as cricket and football in the UK.This fuelled by the genius verging on madness talents of Jimmy White and the chain smoking Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins.Though mostly this theatre and popularity was built on the back of the duels between Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry.Which in the many World Championships they won and duelled in were the stuff of legend.Though these days were compelling. They were characterised of for the most part it being a sport being dominated by players from the UK.Only the very fine player from Malta in Tony Drago and a few Aussies,most notably Eddie Charlton ever made an impression on the big time.Though come the late 80′s there was initially the very fine Thai player James Wattana and then since a steady stream of very fine snooker players from Asia on the professional circuit.To the point where there is currently 9 players from Asia in the top 100 ranked players and two in the top 15.The one who has been touted as a future World Champion in Ding JunHui has duly excelled,but when he matures watch out!. Much in the manner of the current number 1 Neil Robertson from Australia,who is dominating the game nowThough although Ding is the man who might dominate the sport for a good long time.The man who has been the Asian flag bearer for a good long time is Marco Fu from Hong Kong.When he arrived on the professional circuit he was viewed as a good all round player but lacked the potting ability and positional play to build big breaks.

Which in the modern game are crucial for with the pockets not as tight as they were everyone takes big pots on.Just watch the Welshman Mark Williams to see this or the aforementioned Ding JunHuiThough the thing about young Marco,like all great sports people is he is very strong in the mind and has a steely determination to improve his game.In the Grand Prix in the 07/8 season in Aberdeen,Scotland. This was there for all to see and bask in.In this tournament Fu beat a dual World Champion and winner of many tournament John Higgins 5/4 in the first round. Then duly got through to the final to face ‘The Rocket’ Ronnie O Sullivan.In the final he was 5/3 down and anyone who follows Snooker knows that there probably isn’t a better front runner in the World of sport than Ronnie.Though again in the mind Fu is so tough and duly reeled off 4 frames to retake the lead and lead the final 7/5 with a very fine 117 clearance.Ronnie fought back making it 7/6,but Fu wasn’t to be denied winning the next two and duly taking his first professional title.

It was such a testimony to hard work and belief.Also every one who follows the sport know what a gentleman that this fine Hong Kong snooker professional is!