Mark Williams (snooker)

Mark Williams (born 21 March, 1975, Cwm, Wales) is a Welsh professional snooker player.

Related Topics:
21 March - 1975 - Cwm - Wales - Snooker

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Williams has won 15 ranking tournaments, including two World Championships. His first world title in 2000 was earned in dramatic fashion after highly improbable comebacks against John Higgins in the semi-finals and Matthew Stevens in the final. Although he has been ranked number one in three different seasons, he does not dominate the game, facing stiff competition from the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and John Higgins. A relatively poor 2004/05 season has seen him drop to ninth in the 2005/06 rankings.

Related Topics:
World Championships - 2000 - John Higgins - Matthew Stevens - Ronnie O'Sullivan - Stephen Hendry - 2004/05 season - 2005/06 rankings

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On April 20, 2005 he became the first Welshman, and the fifth player in history, to score the maximum 147 break at the Crucible Theatre during the World Championship. He did this in the final frame of a 10-1 first round victory over Robert Milkins.

Related Topics:
April 20 - 2005 - Maximum 147 break - Crucible Theatre - Robert Milkins

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Williams was originally an amateur boxer. Due to an eyesight problem he is unable to distinguish between the red and brown balls, which has occasionally required him to request clarification from referees.

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Williams is often referred to as Mark J Williams, to distinguish him from another Mark Williams, an English player from the 1990s. After one of his World Championship wins, the cheque for more than £200,000 was sent to the wrong Mark Williams by accident.

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Williams is best known for his great single-ball and long potting. His break-building is supreme but he often needs his potting skills to make up for playing a bad positional shot. One of his great qualities is his laid back character. Although this helps him to withstand pressure, it sometimes causes him to play a careless shot or to purposely miss a ball when the frame is safe.

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Because of his confidence in his abilities and his carelessness around the table, he sometimes plays shots that are questioned by many. In the 2005 World Championship, he tried to pot a respotted black from the 'D', which resulted in him losing the frame. In an interview he fiercely responded to criticism with the words: "That's my shot choice. I'm gon' play how I play, so I don't give a ****".

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