The Indian Open snooker event this year had a star-studded field which gave the people in Vishakhapatnam an opportunity to watch many former World Champions in action. The one among them who emerged as the crowd favourite was an Irishman with a special Indian connection.
Ken Doherty, the only player in snooker history to win World Championships at junior, amateur and professional levels, is married to Sarah Doherty, a Vizag girl. The people have welcomed him as one of their own and he has talked openly about his admiration for Indian culture.
On being asked what he likes most about this country, he seems spoilt for choice. "Can't really pin it down to just one thing. The food, the culture and the wonderful people. I think India is unique and I have been coming here since 1987, so that should put things into perspective. Even if some aspects — like the food — are imitated in other countries, it just doesn't come close to the original.
"Not just my family here in India, but there are certain things about India that I can also relate with Ireland, for example, the lush countryside which really reminds me of Ireland. I don't think exciting is the right word but when I visited Agra and saw the Taj Mahal, it was just the most beautiful sight I've ever witnessed in my life," says the 48-year old Irishman.
But considering that he travels all over the world, is there anything particular that makes playing in the Indian Open a special experienceIJ Doherty has a clear reply to this query.
"like I said, India is a magical country and it is tough to just add a few things that give this land its uniqueness or what one would call special. All the players have nothing but good things to say about the Indian Open, the hospitality is second to none. Speaking of this edition, the event has been organised very well, the conditions in the hall have been fantastic for good snooker and I have thoroughly enjoyed it," adds the 1997 World Snooker champion.
Having the crowd behind you is an advantage in most sports, but on the value of spectators' cheers in a sport that requires immense concentration, Doherty thinks it has its advantages. "For sure, snooker requires a lot of concentration and if you've been to a snooker match, you'll notice how silent the halls are. But look, as a sportsman, you are always confronting all sorts of challenges and you need all the help you can get. So, it is helpful to have the fans in your corner. I mean I would rather have them in my own corner than not have them at all. Here in Vizag I have my family and my mother-in-law can't bear to watch me play but I would always want them there. For me, it is a good thing," explains the man known as 'The Darlin' of Dublin.'
Doherty's career is full of accomplishments. But for him, winning the World Championship in 1997 remains his most memorable moment.
"For any sportsman, the pinnacle of their sport is the World Championships and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the 1997 senior World Championship win was my standout performance. I can always say that I won the World Championship in my sport and won it across three categories but that 1997 win is the one that trumps everything," Doherty says.
What could have been an even bigger achievement for Doherty is breaking the 'Crucible curse.' This unique snooker term refers to the fact that no first-time world champion has been able to defend his title since the championship moved to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England in 1977. Doherty came close to breaking this 'curse' in 1998 when he reached the Final of the World Championship that year but lost to John Higgins. He, however, is not brooding over it.
Among the many nicknames Doherty has earned over the years, the one most interesting is 'Crafty Ken'. "I can't remember who gave me this name but it was a commentator and the reason was my style of play which some felt was very calculative and tactical. Despite everything, I quite like it, I mean I'd rather be Crafty Ken than Clueless Ken," the Ranelagh native observes.