Kirk Stevens
Encyclopedia
Kirk Stevens is a Canadian
professional snooker
player.
Stevens started playing young, achieving his first aged just 12. He turned professional aged 20, and reached the semi-finals of the World Championship
aged 21. In 1984, he achieved a televised maximum 147 break in a match against Jimmy White
in the Benson & Hedges Masters, which remained the only such break ever made in the competition until Ding Junhui
achieved a 147 break in 2007. Ken Doherty
and Stephen Hendry
came close to repeating the feat. His stylish choice of attire and his youthful popstar good looks made him a ladies' favourite.
His career ran into problems in 1985 when he met South African Silvino Francisco
in the Dulux British Open final. After Stevens lost 9–12, Francisco accused him of taking stimulants during the match. Francisco was subsequently fined by the world snooker association for the comments. Stevens never failed a drug test in the entirety of his professional career; but, shortly after the comments were made public, Stevens admitted to an addiction to cocaine. Although he underwent treatment, his career never really recovered. He dropped out of the top 16 in 1986/87, but continued to play on until 1992/93, before returning home to Canada and retiring from professional tournament play on the world circuit. He returned to the game and won a place on the professional tour again in 1998/99, but never qualified for the following season. He almost returned for the 2000/01 season, but lost in the North American qualifying final to Bob Chaperon
.
He continues to play snooker in various Canadian events, including charity events. He has won the Canadian Open Championship in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2008. In 2011 he returned to the Crucible Theatre
for the first time since 1988 to play in a pre-World Championship "Legends" tournament.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
player.
Stevens started playing young, achieving his first aged just 12. He turned professional aged 20, and reached the semi-finals of the World Championship
World Snooker Championship
The World Snooker Championship is the leading professional snooker tournament in terms of both prize money and ranking points. The first championship was held in 1927; since 1977, it has been played at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England...
aged 21. In 1984, he achieved a televised maximum 147 break in a match against Jimmy White
Jimmy White
James Warren "Jimmy" White MBE is an English professional snooker player. Nicknamed the "Whirlwind" and popularly referred to as the "People's Champion", White is a multiple World Championship finalist renowned for losing each of the six finals he contested.White's extensive list of achievements,...
in the Benson & Hedges Masters, which remained the only such break ever made in the competition until Ding Junhui
Ding Junhui
Ding Junhui is a Chinese professional snooker player. Ding Junhui is China's most successful player ever, having become only the second teenager, after John Higgins, to win three ranking titles...
achieved a 147 break in 2007. Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
and Stephen Hendry
Stephen Hendry
Stephen Gordon Hendry, MBE is a Scottish professional snooker player. In 1990, he was the youngest-ever snooker World Champion, at the age of 21. He has won the World Championship a record seven times and was snooker's world number one for eight consecutive years between 1990 and 1998, and again...
came close to repeating the feat. His stylish choice of attire and his youthful popstar good looks made him a ladies' favourite.
His career ran into problems in 1985 when he met South African Silvino Francisco
Silvino Francisco
Silvino Francisco is a retired South African professional snooker player.Francisco comes from a snooker-playing family. His brother Mannie and nephew Peter both played at a high level, Mannie having been a runner-up in the World Amateur Billiards Championship on several occasions, and Peter having...
in the Dulux British Open final. After Stevens lost 9–12, Francisco accused him of taking stimulants during the match. Francisco was subsequently fined by the world snooker association for the comments. Stevens never failed a drug test in the entirety of his professional career; but, shortly after the comments were made public, Stevens admitted to an addiction to cocaine. Although he underwent treatment, his career never really recovered. He dropped out of the top 16 in 1986/87, but continued to play on until 1992/93, before returning home to Canada and retiring from professional tournament play on the world circuit. He returned to the game and won a place on the professional tour again in 1998/99, but never qualified for the following season. He almost returned for the 2000/01 season, but lost in the North American qualifying final to Bob Chaperon
Bob Chaperon
Robert "Bob" Chaperon is a retired Canadian professional snooker and billiards player.-Career:Chaperon's greatest achievement was winning the 1990 British Open, beating Alex Higgins 10–8 in the final. He reached at least one other ranking quarter-final, the 1987 Grand Prix...
.
He continues to play snooker in various Canadian events, including charity events. He has won the Canadian Open Championship in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2008. In 2011 he returned to the Crucible Theatre
Crucible Theatre
The Crucible Theatre is a theatre built in 1971 and located in the city centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. As well as theatrical performances, it is home to the most important event in professional snooker, the World Snooker Championship....
for the first time since 1988 to play in a pre-World Championship "Legends" tournament.