Omprakesh Agrawal
Born27 April 1955
Parel, Mumbai, India
Died15 May 1994 (aged 39)
Sport country India
Professional1985–1987
Highest ranking89 (1986/1987)

Omprakesh Bankelal Agrawal also known as either Omprakash Agarwal or Omprakash Agrawal[1] (27 April 1955 – 15 May 1994), was an Indian professional snooker player.[2][3] As an amateur, he was world champion in 1984.

Career

Born in 1955, Agrawal played at the 1984 World Amateur Snooker Championship, where he won seven of nine matches to qualify in second place from his group, before defeating Dilwyn John of Wales and Jon Wright of England to reach the final. There, he faced defending world champion Terry Parsons of Wales, winning the match 11–7 to become World Amateur champion.[4] He also became the first snooker player outside the UK to win an amateur snooker world championship.[5][6]

This enabled Agrawal to compete on the sport's main tour for the 1985/1986 season. He won his first-ever professional match, beating Paul Watchorn 5–2 in the Matchroom Trophy, but lost by the same scoreline in the next round to Danny Fowler.[2] Agrawal followed this with victories over Jim Rempe and John Dunning in qualifying for the 1985 Grand Prix as he reached the last 64; at that stage, however, he was whitewashed 0–5 by the incumbent World Champion Steve Davis.[2]

In the 1985 UK Championship, he was drawn against Stephen Hendry in the first round, and despite having lost the first frame, compiled a break of 110 in defeating him 9–2. In the next round, he led Mario Morra 8–6, but could not prevent an 8–9 loss.

Further defeats to Graham Miles in the British Open and Steve Newbury in the 1986 World Championship followed, but Agrawal's performances were sufficient for him to finish his first season ranked 89th.

The 1986/1987 season brought poor form; he played in only the International Open, the Grand Prix, the UK Championship, the Classic and the British Open, losing his first match in each tournament.[2] Agrawal resigned his professional status in 1987.[7]

Death

Agrawal died of cancer in May 1994, aged 39.[3]

Career finals

Amateur finals: 1 (1 title)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 1984 World Amateur Championship Wales Terry Parsons 11–7

References

  1. ↑ "Those magnificent men and their magical moments!". www.cuesportsindia.com. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Hayton, Eric; Dee, John (2004). The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker: The Complete Record & History. Lowestoft: Rose Villa Publications. p. 189. ISBN 978-0954854904.
  3. 1 2 "Obituary: O. B. Agrawal". Snooker Scene. Birmingham: Everton's News Agency. June 1994. p. 33.
  4. ↑ Hale, Janice (1987). Rothmans Snooker Yearbook 1987–88. Aylesbury: Queen Anne Press. pp. 302–303. ISBN 0356146901.
  5. ↑ admin, Author (27 February 2021). "The 1984 World Amateur Snooker Championship". Snooker Loopy. Retrieved 29 May 2021. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  6. ↑ "Asian joy for Hendry". Eurosport. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  7. ↑ "Resigned". Cue World. Birmingham: Snooker Publications. April 1987. p. 31.
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