White’s Calm After The Storm
Jimmy ‘The Whirlwind’ White is determined to prove today that his comeback isn’t just a game as he faces Mark King in a crucial match to make it to the Crucible. White, now 45 years old, is setting his sights on the 888.com World Championships to be held in Sheffield after he failed to qualify last year.
Jimmy is a former, six time runner up in the prestigious tournament, and after a personal battle with himself, he is ready once again to compete amongst the World’s Premier snooker players.
After a series of unfortunate events, Jimmy has plummeted from eighth to seventy fifth in the World rankings and is now back on form, despite his previous addictions to partying and gambling. Speaking to the Daily Mail White admitted, ‘I was a binge gambler.’
‘The Whirlwind’ has been spending a staggering six hours a day practising for the tournament, and by successfully winning his first two qualifying matches, he feels ready for his match with Mark.
Since the sad loss of his Father Tom last year, Jimmy has dedicated himself to snooker once again. Speaking of his Father, Jimmy asserts that, ‘He’s with me every shot.’
Jimmy’s addictions became apparent after he lost the World Championship Final to Stephen Hendry in 1994. It was alleged that White blew £128.000 of his tournament earnings within 24 hours. Now, after recovering from his addictions Jimmy hopes to show the world that he is once more, championship material, he is intending to make an impression today, he explains ‘I’m at a good place and I am hoping to turn over a few people.’
Whatever the outcome, Jimmy is displaying a strong passion for the game once more and is determined to make it to Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport. If White manages to triumph over King, he will be making his second appearance since 1981; surely this is what he needs to show the world that he is still Premier material.
Former Champion John Parrott will also be participating in the snooker tournament today, he will face Cambridgeshire’s pride player, Joe Perry. Let’s hope that Jimmy can move towards putting his turbulent past behind him, and ‘The Whirlwind’ can successfully breeze his way to the Crucible.