Ray Reardon, a six-time world snooker champion and one of the sport’s most iconic figures, passed away at the age of 91 after battling cancer, the World Snooker Tour announced.
Reardon, known as ‘Dracula’ due to his distinctive hairstyle, dominated snooker in the 1970s, winning his first world title in 1970 and five more throughout the decade. His career highlights include a last title win in the 1983 International Masters and an enduring legacy that influenced many players.
Mark Williams, a three-time world champion, said, “Ray is one of the best sportspeople ever from Wales and the best snooker player. He put snooker on the map alongside Alex Higgins, Jimmy White, and Steve Davis. He is a real inspiration.”
Jimmy White expressed his sorrow, saying, “Gutted to hear my very good friend Ray Reardon has passed away. A total class act and very kind to me when I was making my way in the game. A giant of the game. Rest in peace, mate.”
Other snooker legends also paid tribute. Mark Selby, a four-time world champion, noted, “What a legend of our sport. RIP Ray.” Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion, described Reardon as “an absolute animal on the table, and a total gentleman off it.”
Reardon’s achievements include his first world championship victory over John Pulman in 1970 and becoming the oldest world champion at 45 in 1978, a record broken only by Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2022. He continued to be active in the sport, mentoring players like O’Sullivan and even making a century break just weeks after his 91st birthday.
Reardon was awarded an MBE and inducted into the snooker Hall of Fame in 2011. The winner of the Welsh Open receives the Ray Reardon Trophy in his honor.
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