Kirk Stevens

Kirk Stevens (born August 17, 1958) is a Canadian former professional snooker player.

Career

Stevens started playing young, achieving his first century break aged just 12. He turned professional aged 20, and reached the semi-finals of the World Championship aged 21. In 1984, he achieved a televised maximum 147 break in a match against Jimmy White in the Benson & Hedges Masters, which remained the only such break ever made in the competition until Ding Junhui achieved the same feat in 2007.Ken Doherty and Stephen Hendry came close to repeating the feat. His stylish choice of attire and his youthful 'popstar' good looks made him a ladies' favourite.

His career ran into problems in 1985 when he met South African Silvino Francisco in the Dulux British Open final. After Stevens lost 9–12, Francisco accused him of taking stimulants during the match. Francisco was subsequently fined by the world snooker association for the comments. Stevens never failed a drug test during his professional career; but, shortly after the comments were made public, Stevens admitted to an addiction to cocaine.