Former snooker star Silvino Francisco – who won the 1985 British Open – has died aged 78.
The South African was a widely popular player on the circuit throughout the 1980s and reached number ten in the world rankings at his peak.
To this day, Francisco remains the only African player to have won a ranking event in the sport.
More than 15.5 million viewers tuned in to watch Francisco’s victory over Kirk Stevens in the final of the British Open 39 years ago, which saw ‘The Silver Fish’ take home a then record-breaking prize of £50,000.
After a long and illustrious career in the game, which included memorable wins over the likes of Jimmy White and Alex Higgins, Francisco announced his retirement in 1997.
‘Silvino Francisco, a former world number ten and the only African player to win a ranking event, sadly passed away this month at the age of 78,’ a statement from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association confirmed earlier today.
‘WST and WPBSA extend our sincere condolences to Silvino’s wife June and all of his family and friends.’
Francisco played at the Crucible for eight successive years from 1982, with the 1989 World Professional Snooker Championship proving to be his final appearance on snooker’s grandest stage.
In the latter part of his career, Francisco experienced gambling struggles and he was declared bankrupt in 1996, a year before his retirement.
In 1997, Francisco was arrested after admitting smuggling cannabis, with a street value of £155,000, through Dover, later serving three years in prison.
Francisco spent much of his later years with his family in England and dedicated himself to helping nurture and develop the next generation of snooker stars.
Heartfelt tributes poured in for Francisco from around the snooker world following the WPBSA’s statement confirming his passing.
‘RIP Silvino Francisco. Thoughts with your family,’ one supporter wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another fan said: ‘Silvino Francisco. Talented player. British Open Champion 1985. Sadly he took a few wrong turns in life, but eventually found redemption. God rest him.’