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Tony DragoMaltese professional snooker and pool player
Date of Birth: 22.09.1965
Country:  Malta |
Content:
- Tony Drago: The Maltesean Maestro of Snooker and Pool
- Professional Success and Top-Ranking
- Iconic Moments and Record-Breaking Performances
- Final Hurrah and Legacy
- Return to Form and Retirement
Tony Drago: The Maltesean Maestro of Snooker and Pool
Early Career and BreakthroughTony Drago, the Maltesean snooker and pool virtuoso, rose to fame in the mid-1980s. His exceptional talent was first recognized by Vic Harris, the legendary snooker player and mentor to Steve Davis, after Drago's victory in the national amateur championship. This triumph was followed by a remarkable 132-point break at the amateur World Championship, securing his entry into the professional snooker circuit the following year.
Professional Success and Top-Ranking
Drago's maiden professional season saw him reach the last 16 of the Grand Prix and the last 32 of the UK Championship. He closed the season ranked 37th in the world. The next season, he entered the Top 32 after reaching the quarter-finals of the British Championship.
Drago's finest hour came in the 1987/88 season, when he reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship. He notably defeated former champions Alex Higgins and Dennis Taylor before losing to eventual winner Steve Davis. This accomplishment, coupled with a last-16 finish at the Grand Prix, elevated him to 20th in the world rankings.
Iconic Moments and Record-Breaking Performances
Drago's career was marked by several unforgettable matches. In 1996, during the UK Championship against John Higgins, he set the record for the fastest century break in snooker history, completing it in just 3 minutes and 31 seconds. In 1992, he achieved the fastest 5-frame whitewash (34 minutes) in the Strachan Challenge against Sean Lonigan.
Another memorable clash occurred in the 1996 World Championship between Drago and Ronnie O'Sullivan. They played a best-of-13 match in just 167 minutes and 33 seconds, completing 17 frames (13-4 in O'Sullivan's favor) in under 10 minutes each.
Final Hurrah and Legacy
Despite his remarkable performances, Drago never won a ranking tournament. He came close on several occasions, including the 1990 Rothmans Grand Prix final, where he lost to John Parrott in the deciding frame. He also reached the finals of the 1991 World Masters and the 1997 International Open.
Drago attained his highest ranking of 10th in 1998, but his game gradually declined in the late 1990s. He remained a formidable competitor, making a 147 break in 2002 but failing to regain his former consistency. He dropped out of the Top 16 in 2004 and, after a semi-final finish at the 2004 European Open in Malta, his performances diminished.
Return to Form and Retirement
Following the 2007/08 season, Drago left the professional circuit and played in the PIOS series. He returned to the main tour after winning the EBSA European Play Offs in 2008/09 but failed to qualify for the season's early tournaments.
In the 2010 UK Championship qualifiers, Drago made two century breaks, becoming one of the select group of snooker players with 100 or more century breaks. This milestone took him 25 seasons, surpassing Willie Thorne's previous record by 6.
Drago continued to excel in pool, becoming a professional in 2000 and achieving notable successes, including a victory in the 2007 Mosconi Cup.
Tony Drago remains an iconic figure in snooker and pool, remembered for his lightning-fast play and remarkable achievements. He holds several snooker records, including the fastest century break, the highest break (149 points), and the quickest wins in a single frame, a five-frame match, and a nine-frame match. His legacy as a true legend of the game is secure.
