By Elliott West
Introduction
Several weeks ago, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh was playing a practice session with Hossein Vafaei at the Q House Snooker Academy in Darlington, a routine that professional players use as training for any major tournament. Neither player could have imagined what would unfold next, turning out to be one of those rare and unique historic snooker moments. A moment that a snooker player craves for and remains a dream until it happens. An occasion that is often lost in time and whose survival relies on the word of mouth of those that witnessed it.
Gone in a Flash!
The 36-year Thai player made history when he was gifted a free ball at the start of the frame by the Iranian and then went on to compile a very satisfying 147 break, meaning that in total, he had amassed a 155, something that is so rare to achieve in snooker. What is more, this break was done and dusted in a record time, in just eight minutes!
The currently ranked number 21 efforts could have never been captured on film due to it being a practice session but thankfully the CCTV cameras in the club managed to record the feat, providing footage of it from a distance. This was made even more special by the filming showing the Thai jump up and down in elated celebration after he pots the last black.
However, this moment of glory would be very brief for Thepchaiya as his opponent was in no mood for another frame loss and the chance of another showstopper. Hossein quickly picked the potted balls from their pockets and rearranged the table to its former configuration. Although the currently ranked world 31 player, must have been quietly proud to have witnessed this momentous effort.
Although rare, the 155 break has been achieved before with the then 20-year-old Jamie Cope completing one in the Summer of 2005 in front of a witnessed practice session. Cope, nicknamed the Shotgun, went on to become world number 13 and achieved three professional 147 breaks during his career.
Moving back to Thepchaiya, the Thai is said to be the fastest player on the tour, being the most successful snooker player to come out of his country since James Wattana. Unlike Wattana, who won three ranking titles and seven non-ranking titles, Un-Nooh has only won the 2019 Snooker Shootout, defeating Michael Holt in the final and one non-ranking event, the 2015 Xuzhou Open, beating Joe Perry 4-1. He also reached the final of the 2019 World Open, losing to Judd Trump 10-5.
Thepchaiya has also managed two 147 breaks in his career to date and 123-century breaks. A player that can blast an opponent off the table when in form and plays a fast and fearless type of game that causes you to miss multiple pots of you blink. Known as the ‘Speed King’ on the snooker circuit, this Thai player has so much potential but hasn’t fully matured despite his ranking title. His breakthrough to other major silverware will probably take slightly longer and so fans will have to be patient for slightly longer.
