Hossein Vafaei is an Iranian professional nicknamed the Prince of Persia, known for his strong break-building and for becoming his country’s first ranking event winner.
Hossein Vafaei – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 15 October 1994 |
| Nationality: | Iran |
| Turned professional: | 2012 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 15 |
| Ranking titles: | 1 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 0 |
| Masters appearances: | 1 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 1 |
Hossein Vafaei’s Snooker Career
Hossein Vafaei turned professional in 2012, but his early career on the Main Tour was disrupted by visa and travel issues that limited his opportunities to compete regularly. Even so, he had already shown his ability in amateur competition, having won the IBSF World Amateur Championship in 2011 and later adding the Asian Under-21 title.
As his access to events improved from the middle of the decade, Vafaei began to make a greater impact on the professional circuit. During the 2016/17 season, he reached the quarter-finals of the Northern Ireland Open and later progressed to the semi-finals of the China Open, results that helped him break into the top 64 of the world rankings for the first time.
While his progress was not always steady, Vafaei continued to demonstrate the talent to trouble leading players, combining heavy scoring with a confident, attacking approach. By the early 2020s, he was pushing towards the top 32, aided by deeper runs at several prominent events.
The breakthrough moment of his career arrived in 2022 when he captured the Snooker Shoot Out, beating Mark Williams in the final to become the first Iranian to win a ranking event. The title lifted his profile internationally and underlined his importance in expanding the sport’s reach into new territories.
Vafaei later reached the last 16 at the World Snooker Championship, earned a place at the Masters for the first time, and made a memorable run to the semi-finals of the UK Championship. However, a sudden drop in form and struggles with injury have stalled his momentum.
Hossein Vafaei’s Ranking Titles
Hossein Vafaei won 1 ranking title during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Snooker Shoot Out |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- IBSF World Amateur Championship (2011)
Hossein Vafaei and the Triple Crown
Hossein Vafaei has won 0 Triple Crown titles during his professional career, reaching the semi-finals of the UK Championship.
- World Championship: 0 titles
- UK Championship: 0 titles
- Masters: 0 titles
SHQ Star Rating: ★★★
SnookerHQ uses a seven-point star scale based on the scoring values of snooker balls, with a black (7) representing the highest career classification. Ratings are assigned using career achievements, longevity, and historical impact.
Hossein Vafaei: ★★★
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Featured photo credit: WST