By Elliott West
“I said to myself, ‘BELIEVE’… my daughter is called Believe”.
Noppon Saengkham
Introduction
Noppon Saengkham is definitely one of the most exciting prospects on the snooker tour. A player who is polite, jovial and just gets on with the job at hand. Part of Stephen Feeney’s SightRight stable, Noppon has already proven his worth as a credible player, reaching the quarter-finals of the British Open earlier in the season. Instantly recognisable for his brightly dyed hair and yellow trimmed shirts, this Thai player travels thousands of miles from his homeland, spending extended periods of time away from his wife and children to live out his dream of being a professional snooker player, a quest that is highly supported by his family.
The Saengkham Method
Now ranked in the top 32 in the world rankings, Noppon has a very simple work ethic, practice hard and when you are in the match environment play each frame one ball at a time but don’t be frightened to take on that daunting pot if, in the long run, it will help you win a crucial frame or the match itself. By adopting this snooker ethos, Saengkham has achieved an impressive run in this year’s World Grand Prix beating two of the big guns of the game so far, Mark Selby 4-1 and Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-2. Matches won purely because this Thai played exceptionally well, is well suited to the best of seven formats, doesn’t fear whoever he is playing and has a killer instinct when he plays. As they say, play the table, not the opponent.
“He played amazing”.
Ronnie O’Sullivan
A Challenge
It wasn’t enough to beat two of the best snooker players, Saengkham will have to dig even deeper into his barrel of talent to beat his next opponent. That is, of course, Mark Williams who has so far breezed through the World Grand Prix, encouraged by his excellent performance in this year’s Masters. Rather than creating a defeat migraine after losing to Judd Trump in the final, Williams just packed his case and carried on in Cheltenham where he left off at Alexandra Palace. His latest victim was Ding Junhui who he brushed aside in a 4-0 whitewash.
In order to beat the Welshman, Noppon will have to seize on his opportunities, play a tight game and avoid leaving chances for Mark. If he does that, he could well defeat him but beware, leave any red in a position where it can be potted and Williams will be all over it, hoovering up a winning break before you can blink. Win or lose, Noppon is a rising star and I just adore his style of play and work ethos. He plays a brand of snooker that is methodical but exciting when it needs to be. He plays what it says on his tin, no-frills snooker with a touch of Thai spice. Attacking when it needs to be but at the same time remaining disciplined.
I love the way he walks into the shot, it’s as if he is not playing any ball until he has perfected his stance and the attempted pot or safety shot ticks the perfection box in his head. It’s as if he has a mental checklist that springs into life and whirs every time he comes to the table. A method that has long been dubbed ‘the drill’, dating back to the playing day of Joe Davis. A cocktail of talent, the SightRight method that Stephen Feeney has taught him along with necessary coping mechanisms in the heat of competitive match snooker.Noppon is also the SightRight Ambassador for Thailand.
“I still want to win a trophy. I want this week to be my week.”
Noppon Saengkham
Afterthoughts
Noppon Saengkham comes from a country that produced the huge talent James Wattana who was treated like Thai royalty in his day of pomp. Noppon isn’t in that league yet but he is definitely showing positive signs of getting there. The Thai is grounded, he doesn’t get carried away with his victories but just plays every game as if it was his first. A clean sheet can either bring a win or a loss but whatever way the match, you take away the positives and prepare for the next snooker battle. Saengkham doesn’t wear his snooker scars, he leaves them in the arena, it is the past and you can’t carry your past. Focus, recharge and get on with the job at hand.
