SportsAid Cymru Wales is proud to record that one of its grantees, Jamie Clarke, has become the latest Welsh sportsperson to make a mark on the international stage – this time in snooker.
Despite being the lowest ranked player at the event, Jamie, aged 25, pulled off a shock (August 2020) win beating world number four Mark Allen at the World Snooker Championships in the Crucible, Sheffield – the first time Jamie has played in the iconic venue.
He won the match 10-8, despite the experienced Allen scoring five centuries, before losing to eventual semi-finalist Anthony McGill in the next round.
Said Jamie “I was euphoric, I was completely stunned and shocked. I never thought I would beat Mark but I knew that my game was good enough if I got it right and could hold up under pressure.”
Jamie, whose victory included a career-high break of 136, added “I never thought I would get to play at the Crucible, I never thought I was good enough.”
SportsAid Cymru Wales supported Jamie, from Llanelli, when he was an unknown 16-year-old showing promise.
SACW Director Ron Jones said “This is what SportsAid was set up to do – provide a helping hand to talented young Welsh sportspeople. It is immensely rewarding when they go on to achieve success at the highest level.”