World Snooker Championship winner blew £50,000 on ‘silly' purchase after Crucible victory
World Snooker Championship winner blew £50,000 on 'silly' purchase after Crucible victory
Dennis Taylor won the World Snooker Championship in 1985, beating Steve Davis in the final at the Crucible, and spent a huge sum of money on a lavish purchase
Dennis Taylor won the World Snooker Championship in 1985
(Image: Adrian Murrell, Getty Images )
Dennis Taylor splashed out £50,000 on a luxury car after his World Snooker Championship win in 1985.
The 76-year-old snooker legend from Coalisland, Northern Ireland, first made waves in the snooker world in 1972 and secured his only world title 13 years later - narrowly defeating Steve Davis in an intense 18-17 victory at the Crucible. Taylor's triumph earned him a modest cash prize of £60,000.
However, he quickly spent a large chunk of his winnings on a dark blue BMW 750. Reflecting on his extravagant purchase, he said: "I did allow myself one extravagant purchase after I won the world championship.
"I went and spent £50,000 on a car, and I couldn't believe I did it really. When I thought back to when I first moved to England at 17, the first car I bought cost me £15.
"I often joke about it, it was the same price as a block of new chalk cost. To spend £50,000 on a motorcar was a bit silly back then, but I suppose I earned it anyway," reports the Express.
Despite his triumphant win in 1985, Taylor's journey to the World Championship wasn't without its challenges. At one point, he found himself trailing 9-1 against Davis at the Crucible before making a remarkable comeback to secure an 18-17 victory.
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However, that memorable night in April four decades ago remains the only time the pro has ever lifted the title, subsequently failing to progress beyond the quarter-finals in the following years. Davis, also a renowned snooker figure, scooped six World Championships throughout his prominent career, securing his first title in 1981 and clinching his final trophy at the tournament in 1989.
Dennis Taylor won the 1985 World Snooker Championship
(Image: (Image: Getty) )
It comes as Zhao Xintong triumphed at the World Championship on Monday evening, outclassing Mark Williams 18-12 to lift the title at the famed Crucible Theatre. The prodigious talent from China impressively notched up 111 frames over nine matches during a near month-long campaign, including the qualifiers, to lift the prestigious trophy - making him the first Asian player to win the honour.
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Reflecting on his victory in Sheffield, Zhao told the BBC: "This is like a dream. I can't believe it.
"There was big pressure and big nerves. I knew if I missed he could come back quickly. I was so nervous tonight. Mark is still a top player and put me under so much pressure. He's the best."
This monumental victory not only earned Zhao a hefty £500,000 prize but also propelled him to 11th place in the official world rankings, in anticipation of the 2025/26 season which kicks off later this year.
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