Paul Alan Hunter was an English professional snooker player.
17 Facts About Paul Hunter
2.
Paul Hunter won three ranking events: the Welsh Open in 1998 and 2002, and the British Open in 2002.
3.
In March 2005, Hunter was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours, but continued to play for several months afterwards.
4.
Paul Hunter died shortly before his 28th birthday in October 2006.
5.
At a young age, Paul Hunter played alongside his father, Alan, and won many amateur junior events including the England Doubles Championship aged 14 alongside Richard Brooke.
6.
Paul Hunter often travelled to Bradford to practise alongside professional player Joe Johnson.
7.
Paul Hunter defeated the world champion Stephen Hendry in the last 16.
8.
Paul Hunter won his first ranking tournament at the 1998 Welsh Open.
9.
Paul Hunter was later named the Snooker Writers Association's Young Player of the Year for 1998.
10.
Paul Hunter reached the quarter-final stage or better in six tournaments the following season: he was a runner-up at the 2001 Welsh Open, a semi-finalist at the British Open and Scottish Open, and a quarter-finalist at the Grand Prix and China Open.
11.
Paul Hunter was only the third player to retain the Masters, following Cliff Thorburn and Stephen Hendry.
12.
Paul Hunter reached the quarter-finals of the 2005 China Open just days after being diagnosed with cancer.
13.
On 6 April 2005, Paul Hunter announced he was suffering from malignant neuroendocrine tumours in his stomach, a rare disease, the cause of which is unknown.
14.
Paul Hunter admitted he played worse than the previous year and confirmed that he had been in continuous pain.
15.
Paul Hunter intended devoting the year to treatment for his cancer.
16.
Paul Hunter married beauty therapist Lindsey Fell in August 2004 in Jamaica.
17.
Paul Hunter compiled 114 competitive century breaks in the course of his professional career, including a high break of 146.