Paul Hunter Player Profile
Paul Hunter Stats
Date of birth: 14 October, 1978
Nationality: England
First turned professional: 1995
Highest ranking: 4
Ranking titles: 3
Triple Crown titles: 3
Crucible best: semi-final
Masters appearances: 8
147 breaks: 0
SHQ Stars:
★★★★★
Summary
Paul Hunter turned professional in 1995 at the age of just 16, and he quickly established himself as one the game’s best young talents.
By the end of his first decade on the main tour, the Leeds potter had risen to number four in the world rankings.
Hunter was regularly hyped as a future world champion and a probable world number one at some point in his career.
It’s probably that level of potential which ultimately made his untimely death in 2006 so difficult for the snooker family to accept.
A year earlier, Hunter revealed a diagnosis of a rare disease in his stomach, for which he needed to receive chemotherapy.
During the 2005/06 season, Hunter lost the flowing blonde hair that had become his trademark image and which inspired the nickname, Beckham of the Baize.
He was defeated in all but two of his matches during that campaign and subsequently took the 2006/07 term out for continued treatment.
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However, in October of 2006, just a few days shy of his 28th birthday, Hunter passed away – survived by his wife and daughter.
Hunter’s legacy was initially reflected in the rebranding of a tournament he won in Fürth, which for years after became known as the Paul Hunter Classic.
But it was at the Masters where he truly made his name, with the famous Waterford Crystal trophy now named after him in his honour.
Between 2001 and 2004, Hunter triumphed at the prestigious invitational in London on three occasions – each time conjuring an incredible comeback to prevail in a decider.
The Englishman also had a strong affinity with the Welsh Open, where he reached the semi-finals during his debut season on the circuit.
Two years later he secured a maiden ranking title at the same event and added a second Welsh Open crown four years later.
As well as boasting enviable amounts of talent, Hunter was a well-liked figure who many believed was destined to rule the sport one day.
He came within a frame of reaching the 2003 World Championship final, losing an all-time classic semi-final clash against Ken Doherty in a deciding frame.
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Ranking Event Victories
- 1998 Welsh Open
- 2002 Welsh Open
- 2002 British Open
Other Notable Victories
- The Masters (2001, 2002, 2004)
- Grand Prix Fürth (2004)
Featured photo credit: WST
Paul Hunter Player Profile
SHQ Stars: How it works
| Rating | SHQ Stars | Career Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Black | ★★★★★★★ | multiple world champion; 30+ ranking titles; career triple crown; world no.1 (at least 3) |
| Pink | ★★★★★★ | world champion; 10+ ranking titles; multiple winner of triple crown events; member of top 2; 15+ seasons in top 16 (at least 3) |
| Blue | ★★★★★ | winner of triple crown event; 5+ ranking titles; member of top 4; 12+ seasons in top 16 (at least 2) |
| Brown | ★★★★ | 2+ ranking titles; member of top 8; triple crown event finalist; 8+ seasons in the top 16 (at least 2) |
| Green | ★★★ | ranking title; member of top 16 (at least 1) |
| Yellow | ★★ | member of top 64 |
| Red | ★ | professional |
