Former snooker star Silvino Francisco – who received the 1985 British Open – has died aged 78.
The South African was a broadly standard participant on the circuit all through the Eighties and reached quantity ten on this planet rankings at his peak.
To this present day, Francisco stays the one African participant to have received a rating occasion within the sport.
Greater than 15.5 million viewers tuned in to observe Francisco’s victory over Kirk Stevens within the remaining of the British Open 39 years in the past, which noticed ‘The Silver Fish’ take residence a then record-breaking prize of £50,000.
After a protracted and illustrious profession within the sport, which included memorable wins over the likes of Jimmy White and Alex Higgins, Francisco introduced his retirement in 1997.
‘Silvino Francisco, a former world quantity ten and the one African participant to win a rating occasion, sadly handed away this month on the age of 78,’ an announcement from the World Skilled Billiards and Snooker Affiliation confirmed earlier right this moment.
‘WST and WPBSA prolong our honest condolences to Silvino’s spouse June and all of his household and pals.’
Francisco performed on the Crucible for eight successive years from 1982, with the 1989 World Skilled Snooker Championship proving to be his remaining look on snooker’s grandest stage.
Within the latter a part of his profession, Francisco skilled playing struggles and he was declared bankrupt in 1996, a yr earlier than his retirement.
In 1997, Francisco was arrested after admitting smuggling hashish, with a avenue worth of £155,000, by means of Dover, later serving three years in jail.
Francisco spent a lot of his later years together with his household in England and devoted himself to serving to nurture and develop the following technology of snooker stars.
Heartfelt tributes poured in for Francisco from across the snooker world following the WPBSA’s assertion confirming his passing.
‘RIP Silvino Francisco. Ideas with your loved ones,’ one supporter wrote on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
One other fan mentioned: ‘Silvino Francisco. Gifted participant. British Open Champion 1985. Sadly he took a number of fallacious turns in life, however ultimately discovered redemption. God relaxation him.’
‘One other loss to the snooker world in 2024. RIP. Silvino Francisco,’ learn one other message.
The unhappy information comes simply weeks after the loss of life of snooker icon Terry Griffiths, who handed away on the age of 77 following a battle with dementia.
Griffiths received the world title as a qualifier in 1979, in solely his second look at knowledgeable match.
The Welshman went on to ascertain himself as probably the most revered gamers within the sport, finishing a profession Triple Crown by triumphing on the 1980 Masters and the 1982 UK Championship.
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