Terry Griffiths, 1979 World Champion, Passes Away at 77

Terry Griffiths the former world snooker champion has passed away at the age of 77 after a prolonged battle with dementia, his family confirmed. The Welsh legend, who achieved iconic status in the sport won the 1979 World Championship as a qualifier defeating Dennis Taylor 24-16 in the final. Griffiths also claimed the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982 completing snooker’s prestigious “Triple Crown.”

Griffiths, who reached a career-high third in the world rankings was recognized with an OBE in 2007 for his contributions to snooker. His son, Wayne shared the news of his death on Facebook, describing how Terry passed away peacefully in his hometown of Llanelli surrounded by family. Wayne expressed that his father a proud Welshman would have wanted to be at peace in Llanelli.

Tributes poured in from across the snooker world with many recognizing Griffiths not only for his playing career but also his coaching and mentorship. Fellow Welshman Mark Williams a three-time world champion, called Griffiths a “mentor, coach, friend, legend,” while Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen shared how Griffiths shaped both his career and life.

Current world number one Judd Trump also paid tribute, recalling Griffiths’ humor and warmth, particularly his wit during snooker events. The snooker community including BBC snooker presenter Jason Mohammad expressed their sorrow, highlighting Griffiths’ significant contributions to both the sport and Welsh culture. His legacy is not just in his titles but in his influence on the next generation of players making him a beloved figure in the snooker world.