During this year’s World Snooker Championship, we’ll be recalling some of the most memorable moments that took place at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Ever since a timid teenager by the name of Stephen Hendry debuted in the 1986 World Championship as a 17 year-old, the youngest ever at the time, there was a sense of inevitability that the Scot would one day rule the Crucible.
From then on, Hendry slowly got closer and closer to becoming the youngest ever world champion, which at the time was held by Steve Davis when he first emerged victorious as a 23 year-old in 1981.
After a last 32 exit to Willie Thorne in 1986, Hendry made appearances in the second round, last eight, and semi-finals in each of the next three editions of the tournament.
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By the spring of 1990, Hendry was the world number one elect and had already won the UK Championship – in which he beat Davis in the final – and the prestigious Masters titles during that campaign.
In his first World Championship final, Hendry came up against the People’s Champion Jimmy White, a player who had suffered in Davis’ shadow throughout the entire last decade before finally getting the better of his fellow Englishman in the semi-finals in Sheffield that year.
Unfortunately for White, the popular Londoner would be about to embark on an even more arduous battle with a new nemesis, a winning machine arguably more relentless and unforgiving than the last.
Hendry produced a measured display to see off the “Whirlwind” 18-12 and, on April 29th, was crowned the King of the Crucible.
It certainly wouldn’t be the only time and so Hendry set into motion an almost decade-long spell of dominance at the venue.
This article has been updated and was originally published on April 29th, 2018.
