Post by rapha777 on May 4, 2005 13:14:15 GMT -5
World snooker champion talks of Christian faith -04/05/05
New snooker world champion Shaun Murphy has said his strong Christian faith helped him record his shock title win.
The 22-year-old was a 150-1 outsider when he qualified for the championship at the Crucible Theatre.
But he defied the odds to land the title, coming back from 10-6 down against Matthew Stevens in the final to win 18-16.
Murphy pointed to his religious beliefs as an important factor in reaching the top.
He said: "I started going to a church in Weston-super-Mare about six years ago and it touched something deep inside me.
"I liked everything I heard and it's given me something to believe in. It helps me focus more than anything."
His 250,000 pounds prize-money contrasted sharply to his previous best of 15,000 pounds when he made the first round at Sheffield in 2003.
Murphy will use some of the money on a new car and to pay for his honeymoon after he marries his girlfriend in July.
World-ranked 48, Murphy turned professional when he was 15 but he is only now realising his full potential.
Other victims on the way to Monday's title triumph included John Higgins, Steve Davis and Peter Ebdon, all former world champions.
New snooker world champion Shaun Murphy has said his strong Christian faith helped him record his shock title win.
The 22-year-old was a 150-1 outsider when he qualified for the championship at the Crucible Theatre.
But he defied the odds to land the title, coming back from 10-6 down against Matthew Stevens in the final to win 18-16.
Murphy pointed to his religious beliefs as an important factor in reaching the top.
He said: "I started going to a church in Weston-super-Mare about six years ago and it touched something deep inside me.
"I liked everything I heard and it's given me something to believe in. It helps me focus more than anything."
His 250,000 pounds prize-money contrasted sharply to his previous best of 15,000 pounds when he made the first round at Sheffield in 2003.
Murphy will use some of the money on a new car and to pay for his honeymoon after he marries his girlfriend in July.
World-ranked 48, Murphy turned professional when he was 15 but he is only now realising his full potential.
Other victims on the way to Monday's title triumph included John Higgins, Steve Davis and Peter Ebdon, all former world champions.