BACK TO THE RAILWAYS AFTER FEELING LIKE ROYALTY

Jan 4 / Snooker System

Robert Marriott reflects on “memories of a lifetime” made at the World Abilitysport Games in Thailand

If touchdown back on home soil at Stansted Airport wasn’t a return to reality for now global snooker star Robert Marriott then taking his place back in the signal control room for Network Rail surely is.

At the start of 2024, it’s back to the day job and reflecting on an experience of a lifetime fulfilling a snooker dream.

As previewed by Snooker system here, Robert was among 1,200 athletes from across 56 countries competing in various different sports at the World Abilitysport Games held in the Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima in December – and the experience exceeded all expectations.

“We were treated like royalty out there,” Robert told Snooker System. “It was absolutely amazing and I was surprised how big the event was.”

“The city was about the size of Birmingham but we took over the place; there were
flags and posters everywhere.”

One of the highlights for Robert was the opening ceremony parading the national flags with his fellow players.

“Snooker did itself proud. We were all in matching polo t-shirts and looked so professional. It was an extremely proud moment to be part of it and to represent my country aged 63. It made memories for a lifetime.

“It was an incredible experience and quite surreal because you get home and realise that no one knows you again.”
During the event, Robert won one of his three group matches and was the only player to win a frame in the group off of the eventual gold-medal winner Songkiat Raebankoo from the home nation.

“I was absolutely shot with nerves in my first match because I didn’t want to make a fool of myself but I played really well throughout.

“I’m really going to be concentrating on my game. It’s made me want to become an even better player.”

Robert will be playing in the UK Open later this month and now has even greater motivation to perform on the baize thanks to the buzz of the event – and will be continuing his coaching with Snooker System’s Andrew Green to give himself every chance of continuing his move up the World Disability Billiards & Snooker rankings.
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