Sakchai Sim Ngam

Sakchai Sim Ngam (born 12 July 1952) is a Thai former professional snooker player.[1] He won the IBSF World Snooker Championship in 1995.

Sakchai Sim Ngam
Born(1952-07-12)12 July 1952
Sport country Thailand
Professional1985–1987
Highest ranking80

Career

A former kickboxer,[2] Sim Ngam won the 1984 ACBS Asian Snooker Championship with an 8–5 defeat of Vichien Sangthong in the final. The following year, he reached the final again but lost 5–8 to Gary Kwok.[3]

Sim Ngam was accepted as a professional by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) in 1985, becoming the first Thai professional player.[4] His first professional match resulted in a 5–2 win against David Greaves in the first qualifying round 1985 Matchroom Trophy, before he was defeated 4–5 by Les Dodd in the following round.[1] In his next tournament, the 1985 Grand Prix, he recorded 5–3 wins over both Derek Mienie and Fred Davis to reach the third qualifying round, where he was eliminated 1–5 by Eugene Hughes. He also reached the third qualifying round of the 1985 UK Championship, losing 4–9 to Joe Johnson after defeating Roger Bales and Mick Fisher.[1] He never progressed further in a professional tournament than he did in these events.[5]

He was part of the Rest of the World Team for the 1986 World Cup that was eliminated after losing 0–5 to Canada in their first match. Sim Ngam played one frame, which he lost 6–102 to Bill Werbeniuk.[6] In the qualifying rounds for the 1986 World Snooker Championship, Sim Ngam whitewashed Bernard Bennett 10–0 before losing in the deciding frame to Paul Medati, 9–10.[1]

Sim Ngam resigned his membership of WPBSA in 1987, when ranked 80th,[7] and did not play in any professional events again until he was a wild card entrant to the 1995 Thailand Open, 1996 Thailand Open, and 1996 Asian Classic.[1] His highest snooker world ranking was 80.[1]

He won the amateur 1995 IBSF World Snooker Championship, defeating David Lilley 11–7 after trailing 5–7 at the end of the first day of the final.[8][9] As defending champion at the 1996 IBSF World Snooker Championship, he was 2–4 behind Stan Gorski in the last 16 round, but then equalised at 4–4 after needing Gorski to concede points from two fouls in the eighth frame. Gorski made a break of 51 in the deciding frame and won the match 5–4.[10]

Career finals

Non-ranking finals: 3 (1 title)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Runner-up 1. 1987 Kent Challenge  Udon Khaimuk (THA) 1–3 [11]
Winner 1. 1989 Kent Cup  Franky Chan (HKG) 4–1 [12]
Runner-up 2. 1989 Kent Challenge (2)  Kenny Kwok (HKG) 1–3 [13]

Pro-am finals: 1 (1 title)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 1987 Southeast Asian Games  Benjamin Lui (SIN) 8–6 [14]

Amateur finals: 4 (3 titles)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 1984 ACBS Asian Snooker Championship  Vichien Sangthong (THA) 8–5 [3]
Runner-up 1. 1985 ACBS Asian Snooker Championship  Gary Kwok (HKG) 5–8 [3]
Winner 2. 1995 IBSF World Snooker Championship  David Lilley (ENG) 11–7 [15]
Winner 3. 1997 Thailand Amateur Championship  Praprut Chaithanasakun (THA) 8–6 [16]

References
  1. Hayton, Eric; Dee, John (2004). The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker: The Complete Record & History. Lowestoft: Rose Villa Publications. p. 891. ISBN 978-0954854904.
  2. Friskin, Sydney (15 November 1985). "Snooker: Davis is favourite". The Times. London.
  3. "Asian Snooker Championship: Roll of Honour". Global Snooker. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  4. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 February 1985. p. 42.
  5. "Sakchai Sim Ngam". snookerdatabase.co.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  6. Friskin, Sydney (22 March 1986). "Snooker: Davis aids England's cause". The Times. London.
  7. "Resigned". Cue World. Birmingham: Snooker Publications. April 1987. p. 31.
  8. Everton, Clive (27 November 1995). "Hendry on his own with third maximum". The Guardian. London. p. 17.
  9. "Sakchai Sim-Ngam wins title". Snooker Scene. Birmingham: Everton's News Agency. January 1996. p. 24.
  10. "Stuart Bingham wins world amteur title". Snooker Scene. Birmingham: Everton's News Agency. January 1997. p. 29.
  11. "SNOOKER Udon sweeps to double with challenge victory". South China Morning Post. 3 August 1987. p. 28.
  12. "Off-colour Chan fails to overcome Thai jinx: SNOOKER". South China Morning Post. 24 April 1989. p. 30.
  13. "Kwok makes breakthrough: HK youngster takes Kent title SNOOKER". South China Morning Post. 31 July 1989. p. 26.
  14. "13th frame proves unlucky for Ben". The Straits Times. 20 September 1987. p. 24. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  15. "Embassy IBSF World Championship". Snooker.org. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  16. "SPORTS: THAILAND CHAMPIONSHIP: Sakchai wins title with smooth play: Prapruet puts up a good fight". Bangkok Post. 3 March 1997. p. 1.
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