Last night saw a day of great drama as Iranian snooker star Hossein Vafaei defeated World number one ranked Judd Trump. In an exciting 13-12 win, in second round of 16, to make it into the quarter final to play Wu Yize. Snooker and pool players from around Navan will remember Hossein Vafaei when he spent his time in Navan when he learned to hone his snooker skills. Even in his younger days the Persian born talent was showing his potential and at the time was taken under the tutelage of Chris Mazahery who owned and ran The Navan Snooker and Pool Hall at the back of Navan Shopping Centre.
Hossein was always talented and he showed his potential in those earlier days. One regular to the venue remarked how good he played and a 147 ( -the maximum break in snooker) was not unusual for him. At the time in Navan, Chris Mazahery helped him on the path to stardom though the relationship ended. He has featured successfully in a number of events but this is the best he has played to qualify to the last eight of the world title.
Mazahery passed away in February of this year after an illness having sold the business some years ago to J-Macs Pool Club. Snooker may not enjoy the massive audiences of the 80’s and 90’s when it was in full throttle,thanks to the likes of Alex Higgins, who helped put it on the front pages rather than the back pages of the times. But it still draws big viewers and hopefully Hossein Vafaei will draw some support from around Navan and the county.
Yesterday also saw another epic game as John Higgins battled back to defeat Ronnie O’Sullivan in another 13-12 game, described in commentary as some of the best snooker ever played at The Crucible in Sheffield. It remains to be seen if there is still steel to keep Hossein on track to the next round.
