SNOOKER legend Dene O’Kane has died following a tragic accident at his home in New Zealand.
The sportsman – hailed as “the greatest New Zealander to catch the wink” – was 61 years old.
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Dene O’Kane has died aged 61 Credit: Alamy
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1994 Snooker Champion Credit: Alamy
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O’Kane during the 2012 World Senior Snooker Championship Credit: Action Images
O’Kane died in an Auckland hospital on Tuesday after reportedly falling at his home on Waiheke Island.
The snooker champion became a household name after breaking into the world’s top 20 in the 1980s.
He turned professional in 1984 after becoming the New Zealand snooker champion at the age of 17.
O’Kane moved to the UK to pursue his dream as a professional and play against stars such as Steve Davis and Jimmy White.
He won ten titles in New Zealand, two Australian Opens and two Oceania Championships. – climbs up to the 18th place in the world ranking.
Adding to his impressive portfolio, O’Kane also won three World Masters Championships in 2004, 2005 and 2008.
While he was a professional, he earned a net £415,000.
Speaking to local magazine Stuff in 2022, O’Kane said: “You go through a lot, internally.
“Mentally and emotionally. But you just have to overcome those feelings and thoughts.
“It’s almost like there’s a wall of pressure and you either break through it and play well or you succumb to it.”
In 2007, O’Kane began a career in real estate – but he was never too far from the table and continued to play, appearing in exhibition tournaments around the world.
He was also the president of the Premier Cue Club Masse.
His secretary Bernie Endre told Stuff: “He was the biggest New Zealander to take it on.
“Just a big presence in stick sports.”
Dene O’Kane’s career finale
DENE O’KANE has become a household name in New Zealand thanks to his stick skills.
He has competed in dozens of competitions and won several titles over the years.
- 1980 – winner – amateur championship of New Zealand
- 1981 – Second place – Junior Pot Black
- 1989 – runner-up – Hong Kong Open
- 1989 – runner-up – World Championship
- 2004 – Winner – World Amateur Championship, Masters
- 2005 – Winner – Australian Open Championship
- 2006 – Winner – Oceania Championship
- 2006 – runner-up – Australian Open Championship
- 2007 – Winner – Oceania Championship
- 2008 – Winner – Australian Open Championship
- 2008 – Winner – World Amateur Championship, Masters
- 2009 – Second place – World Amateur Championship, Masters
- 2020 – runner-up – Oceania 6-row Championship
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O’Kane pictured at his home in New ZealandCredit: Facebook
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