Tony Southern triumphs over Niwat Kongta in World Abilitysport Games final

In a thrilling final at the World Abilitysport Games, Tony Southern from England emerged victorious over Thailand’s Niwat Kongta to claim the gold medal in the group two wheelchair category. The event, which took place in Thailand and featured competitors from nine countries, showcased the growing popularity of disability snooker.

Southern, a 55-year-old from Liverpool, expressed his excitement at the prospect of snooker making a return to the Paralympics in 2032. He described the opportunity to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics as a “dream come true” and highlighted the inclusive nature of the sport, stating that “it can be enjoyed by all, no matter your disability or ability at the table.”

The push for snooker’s inclusion in the Paralympics is being led by the World Disability Billiards and Snooker (WDBS), with chairman Nigel Mawer emphasizing that the sport is “tailor-made” for the Paralympics due to its diverse categories and the skill of its players.

Following their success at the World Abilitysport Games, Southern, along with fellow English gold medallists Carl Gibson and Gary Swift, as well as Thai champions Songkiat Raebankoo and Thanapol Seekao, were invited to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The group participated in exhibition matches, met with fans, and toured the iconic venue, further showcasing the talent and dedication of disability snooker players.

With snooker set to be featured in upcoming championships and the first World Championship scheduled for 2025 in Thailand, the future looks bright for the sport. Southern highlighted the increasing skill level of players, with visually impaired and amputee players achieving impressive breaks, and wheelchair players consistently scoring high breaks in competitions.

As the popularity of disability snooker continues to grow, the prospect of seeing the sport back in the Paralympics in 2032 is an exciting development for players and fans alike.