Snooker world mourns the loss of six-time champion Ray Reardon

Six-time world snooker champion Ray Reardon, who reigned supreme in the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 91 after battling cancer, BBC reported. The Welshman's remarkable achievements garnered praise from fellow snooker players, with Mark Williams hailing him as one of the greatest sportspeople ever from Wales and the best snooker player. Reardon played a pivotal role in popularizing the game, alongside the likes of Alex Higgins, Jimmy White, and Steve Davis.

Expressing his sadness, Jimmy White remembered Reardon as a true friend and a class act, adding that the snooker legend had been kind to him during his early career, The Guardian reported. Known for his distinctive hairstyle, Reardon made his mark during the television boom of the sport, winning the inaugural Pot Black series on BBC Two in 1969. His intense rivalries with John Spencer and the flamboyant Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins captivated audiences during that era.

Reardon's illustrious career saw him clinch six World Championship titles, with his first triumph in 1970 against John Pulman. He went on to secure four consecutive titles from 1973 to 1976, culminating in a victory over Higgins in 1976, which turned out to be the last Championship held before the move to The Crucible in Sheffield. Reardon's dominance was reinforced by another world title in 1978, which allowed him to hold the top spot in the world rankings until 1981 when the emergence of Steve Davis shifted the snooker landscape.

Retired since 1991, Reardon continued to leave an imprint on his beloved sport. Hiring him as a consultant, Ronnie O'Sullivan acknowledged Reardon's influential role in his 2004 world title victory. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, the trophy awarded to the winner of the Welsh Open was officially named the Ray Reardon Trophy in 2016.

The legacy of Ray Reardon will forever be etched in the annals of snooker, reminding us of his exceptional prowess and his significant impact on popularizing the sport.

Earlier, SSP reported that Pat Williams sadly passed away at the age of 84.