Thread: Thai Player Gets Through The First Round At World Snooker Chapionship.

Originally Posted by Aberlour

He played so slowly that his game had to be concluded after the other evening session games had finished.

He seems like a real character and the crowd really took to him it would seem. Good on him.

Probably because they kept the bar open.

The joke’s on Poomjaeng as Thai star bows out of world meet
Sunday April 28, 2013

SHEFFIELD: Thailand’s Dechawat Poomjaeng saw his crowd-pleasing run at the World Championships brought to an abrupt end on Friday with 13-3 second round defeat against Welsh qualifier Michael White.

Poomjaeng had captivated fans at the Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre with his entertaining antics during a shock first round win over world number five Stephen Maguire.

The 34-year-old ignored snooker’s usually hushed and reverential atmosphere during his 10-9 win against Maguire as he played the clown on his debut at the sport’s most hallowed venue.

After twice going to the wrong seat in the arena before the match, he waved his arms frantically in a bid to coax the ball into the pocket after several shots, on one occasion knocking over a bottle of water in the process.

The world No. 70 was at it again against White, entering the arena with both arms raised in triumph, jumping from the second step on to the stage floor and punching the air as though he had won the world title.

Spotting Thailand’s national flag in the second row, he also held out his arms in adoration and hugged MC Rob Walker.

But whereas Maguire seemed distracted by Poomjaeng’s bizarre behaviour, White was able to block out the fuss as the 21-year-old became the first player to secure a quarter-final berth in this year’s tournament.

Poomjaeng was totally outclassed and fell 7-1 behind after the first session on Thursday.

When play resumed on Friday, White refused to give him a chance to get back into the match as breaks of 71, 83, 73 and a closing 102 set up a last-eight clash with Ricky Walden or Robert Milkins.

But Poomjaeng was not scarred by his defeat, saying: “I’m okay because it’s the first time for me at the Crucible.

“Michael White played well and I started badly. That’s why I lost too easily.

“I loved the crowd’s reaction to me. I’m so proud that everyone likes me.”

Poomjaeng had won only £4,000 since joining the professional tour last year, so his £16,000 cheque for reaching the second round was a major windfall.

But even so he was still slightly disappointed as he was hoping to earn a bigger sum to help move out of the Sheffield house he shares with four fellow Thai players.

“I’ll buy my family presents. I’m looking for a new house for me but this isn’t enough money,” he said.

“If I got to the final that would have been okay, but now I can’t do it.”

Poomjaeng relished his rare moment in the spotlight over the last week and he is determined to qualify for the tournament again next year.

But for now he plans to head home to Thailand to see his family.

“I’ll come back next year. Now I’m going back to Thailand because I miss my family and I miss my daughter a lot,” he said.

White, bidding to become the first debutant in the semi-finals since Andy Hicks in 1995, was delighted with the way he kept his cool while Poomjaeng was going through his madcap routine.

“I’m thrilled. The way I’ve played in both my matches has been pleasing for me,” he said.

“I had to keep in the zone and keep concentration and I felt I did that well all the way through.

“Last night he was joking around a lot but I held it together pretty well.”

thestar.com.my

Published on 25 Apr 2013
Dechawat Poomjaeng penalised a frame for fouling three times in a row in the second round of the world championship

youtube.com

Originally Posted by Mid

“I loved the crowd’s reaction to me. I’m so proud that everyone likes me.”

He could become a cult figure in the UK. The Brits love a loser

Being a bit of joker is one thing, but you need to know where to draw the line. You need to show your opponents some respect, otherwise you're just being a twat.

I would love to see how sulky pants Peter Ebdon would deal with him. I reckon he'd twat him.

Originally Posted by Dillinger

Originally Posted by Mid

“I loved the crowd’s reaction to me. I’m so proud that everyone likes me.”

He could become a cult figure in the UK. The Brits love a loser

He'll have to lose a lot more matches than that, if he's gonna compete with the likes of Eddie the Eagle Edwards.