By Elliott West
“Mink made the highest break between us during the whole event and to that under pressure was amazing. I am sure it will do wonders for girls watching this with this showcase and this was just great to be a part of”.
Neil Robertson
Introduction
If you haven’t heard of a Thai, female snooker player named Mink Nutcharut or Nutcharut Wongharutha to be precise, then you probably have now. This shy and softly spoken snooker player has been displaying her skill set at the recent BetVictor Mixed Doubles and in a partnership with Neil Robertson that fitted like a snug glove, Mink shone and helped lead the duo to victory. A possibility that bookmakers had originally given as a 50/1 outsider but a pair that grew throughout this two-day tournament and produced some divine snooker, especially by Mink, who once she had overcome her nerves, blossomed and carved out some solid and impressive breaks.
A Force to be Reckoned With
This petite lady who speaks broken English is far from fragile. She is a mini typhoon that pots some divine long balls and is not afraid to attack when the moment is right. Born in Saraburi, Thailand, this 22-year-old has already won the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 6 red snooker, 2018 World Women’s Under-21 Championship, 2018 Under-21 UK Women’s Championship, IBSF World Women’s 6 Red Championship in 2019 & 2020, 2019 Australian Women’s Open Championship, 2022 Women’s British Open and the 2022 World Women’s Snooker Championship.
“I was about 10 and my mum was a cashier at a snooker hall in Saraburi. The bar owner saw that I was bored after school so he taught me how to play”.
Mink Nutcharut
A player who was taken under the wing of the Hi-End Snooker Club in Thailand, she fell in love with snooker at a young age, 10 years old to be precise with her mother working as a cashier in a snooker club and her father enjoyed playing. This a player who oozes class and recently produced a 147 break in practice, captured on camera and making her the only lady to produce one. Now on the professional tour and one of four women who have populated it, Mink has already qualified for the Northern Ireland Open and is someone who is highly regarded by the likes of Ken Doherty and Alan McManus.
To think, Mink only won £6,000 in prize money for winning the World Championship but now has bagged £30,000 for her recent mixed doubles win. Her exposure on ITV has now made her a recognised name in snooker and will open so many doors for future sponsorship deals and a flurry of exhibition offers. Mink has a hardened practice regime, she puts in the 8 hours a day required and it has paid off. She has now made the breakthrough required and will surely go from strength to strength.
Afterthoughts
Mink continues a long line of Thai players who have excelled on the UK snooker stage. The Thais like the Chinese, just adore snooker and love playing it and watching it. Her ascent in snooker has caused many men to marvel at her brilliance, a complete contrast to the smoke-filled Thai snooker clubs that are often filled with men gambling and boozing. Someone who still uses a custom-made shortened cue but produces snooker poetry with her shot choices and eloquent break-building.
