Mark Williams shares brilliant throwback picture with John Higgins from junior days
These two have been battling it out for well over 30 years.
Mark Williams and John Higgins have been battling it out for well over three decades, as illustrated by an amazing throwback photo posted by the Welshman.
The pair meet in the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals this week, with the last eight clash getting underway on Tuesday morning.
Williams turned 50 earlier this year while Higgins reaches the milestone birthday next month, but they remain among the elite of their sport.
34 years ago they were the elite junior players and met in the Under-16 final at the Mita World Masters.
It was a big moment for the two teenagers as they involved in the huge event in Birmingham which also had men’s and women’s singles and doubles events, with a mixed doubles as well, intended to be a snooker version of a tennis Grand Slam.
The rising stars also got to meet and be interviewed by Steve Davis ahead of their clash, which may not have calmed the nerves at all.
Higgins would win the match 6-1 and all these years later the all-time greats meet again, with Williams posting a picture from then and now ahead of their latest meeting.
Williams does not take great care with spelling in his social media posts, but what he meant was: ‘Just getting ready for the world seniors quarter finals in the morning. #HeUsedToBeTallerThanMe.’
Both the Welsh Potting Machine and the Wizard of Wishaw turned professional in 1992, first meeting as pros in 1994 at the Thailand Open.
In all competitions they have played 66 times as professionals, with Higgins leading 38-24 on the head-to-head, with four draws.
Higgins will be playing in his 19th Crucible quarter-final, while Williams is into the last eight for a 12th time.
Both have been put through their paces by younger opponents so far this tournament, with Higgins beating Joe O’Connor 10-7 in round one, followed by a 13-12 victory over Xiao Guodong in the second round.
Williams came through a couple of entertaining contests, beating Wu Yize 10-8 and then Hossein Vafaei 13-10.
After edging past Xiao in his second round, Higgins said: ’25 years ago myself and Mark would have been big rivals. Now we just walk into the practice room sometimes and give each other a nod, as if to say we are still doing alright.
‘We are against all these great young talents coming through. We are still in there fighting with them. I think that is a great testament to us.
‘Mark is an unbelievable champion. I just can’t wait. I’ll go out there and enjoy it. If I win then great, if I don’t I’ll shake his hand and wish him well.’
The Higgins vs Williams quarter-final is played over three sessions on Tuesday morning and evening before a final session on Wednesday morning.
