Igor Figueiredo captured the 2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship crown with a 5-2 victory over Ken Doherty in Sunday’s final.
The Brazilian produced a fine display to see off the challenge of the 1997 world champion at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Doherty, who was the pre-tournament favourite, got off to the best possible start when he compiled a break of 100 in the opening frame.
However, Figueiredo responded in assertive fashion, making a break of 72 to quickly restore parity.
After the 46 year-old subsequently moved in front for the first time, he constructed a terrific break of 93 to enter the mid-session interval with a 3-1 cushion.
Nerves began to play a factor following the resumption of play with both players missing balls they would normally expect to pot.
A failed attempt at a green from Doherty proved to be a pivotal moment in the fifth frame, with Figueiredo duly extending his advantage and moving to within the brink of glory.
Two half-century contributions kept the Dubliner in the hunt, but despite a couple of shaky moments, Figueiredo completed the triumph with a run of 88 in the seventh frame.
The popular player from Rio de Janeiro first turned professional in 2010 and established a reputation as a dangerous opponent full of flair.
He reached the last 16 of three ranking tournaments but had to relinquish his tour card in 2022 as a result of complications with travel during the COVID-19 pandemic and also the significant expense incurred while competing on the main tour.
With this success in the World Seniors Snooker Championship, Figueiredo takes home a champion’s cheque worth £20,000.
The former IBSF World Amateur Championship runner-up is set to also receive an invite to participate in the lucrative Champion of Champions next season.
He had been the best player throughout the week’s action in Sheffield, following up his initial defeat of Tessa Davidson with a commanding 3-0 beating of reigning world seniors champion Jimmy White in the quarter-finals.
Perhaps his best display materialised in the last four when he wrapped up a 4-1 triumph over Tony Drago with back-to-back century breaks.
Igor Figeuiredo again underlined his natural talent in the final, and his name will now forever be engraved into the history of the tournament.
2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship
Round of 16 (bo5)
Jimmy White 3-2 Andrew Norman
Igor Figueiredo 3-1 Tessa Davidson
Tony Knowles 0-3 Stuart Watson
Tony Drago 3-1 Michael Judge
Joe Johnson 1-3 Barry Pinches
James Wattana 3-2 Rodney Goggins
Darren Morgan 1-3 Dechawat Poomjaeng
Ken Doherty 3-1 Tyson Crinis
Quarter-Finals (bo5)
Jimmy White 0-3 Igor Figueiredo
Stuart Watson 1-3 Tony Drago
Barry Pinches 3-1 James Wattana
Dechawat Poomjaeng 2-3 Ken Doherty
Semi-Finals (bo7)
Igor Figueiredo 4-1 Tony Drago
Barry Pinches 1-4 Ken Doherty
Final (bo9)
Igor Figueiredo 5-2 Ken Doherty
Featured photo credit: WSS / Andy Chubb
The greatest moment in South American snooker. The first non-Brit to win this title. He takes the high break prize for a run of 119 against Drago.
Igor might miss out on the Champion of Champions depending on how many repeat winners we get before November 11th. I think there’s nine finals before the tour arrives in Bolton.