Oliver Sykes – professional snooker player
CUESTARS member Oliver Sykes has been awarded a coveted place on the World Snooker Tour.
The 20-year-old from Chandler’s Ford earned his professional status by reaching the final of the European Championship in Spain.
Although he lost 5-4 to Anton Kazakov, Sykes takes the two-year tour card because his opponent from Ukraine had earnt his by winning the under-21 event.
This was confirmed after the talented left-hander beat Germany’s Umut Dikme 4-1 in the last-four and Kazakov defeated former Finnish professional Robin Hull in the second semi.
Sykes had received a wildcard for this event from Maxime Cassis, the president of the European Billiards and Snooker Association.
Speaking from the Gandia Palace Hotel, he said: “I found out not long after Anton’s semi-final match. I walked into the office and had confirmation from Maxime and James Chambers (from the WPBSA) that I will be receiving a tour card whatever happens.
“It means everything to me. I’ve always wanted to compete against the top players in the world. It will take a couple of days for this to sink in.”
Oliver started at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club just after his eighth birthday. He made his first half-century break at the age of ten in a Cuestars event in Bournemouth and made his first century in his home club’s Under-19 League at the age of 13.
He has now hit three figures 202 times in competition.
A two-time winner of the English Junior Tour, the national under-21 circuit, Sykes has also won the Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour rankings title twice.
Sykes has been using the same cue for 11 years. It was given to him in 2015 by club player Barry Doswell who wanted to donate a John Parris cue to a young player at Chandlers Ford SC who had the potential to go all the way.
None of this would have been possible without all that hard work, dedication and commitment plus the support of his dad and mum. Imagine how Dean, who was in Spain watching this momentous day unfold, and Claire are feeling.
Sykes follows in the footsteps of fellow Cuestars members Billy Castle, Jamie Wilson and Connor Benzey who have all reached the professional ranks in recent years and thus earned lifetime Cuestars memberships.
Picture by Matt Huart (WPBSA)