Donington’s Nigel Brasier will be making history later this month when he competes in the first World Disability Snooker Championships.
He flies out on Sunday and will be competing against 68 other players from 17 countries from February 25 until March 2 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Although it will be the first time the championships have been held, Brasier has seen it all before. In December 2023 he finished fourth in the World Ability Games, also held in Thailand. That was the first time disabled people had been allowed to enter and Brasier, who has Motor Neurone Disease, was chosen to represent the United Kingdom.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Brasier. “A very proud moment when we walked into the arena for the opening ceremony.”
This time, Brasier (55) will be among other disabled people and is determined to continue to play the sport to the best of his abilities.
Last year he was in the finals of the Irish, German and Belgian Challenge Opens as well as the Hull Open and also reached the last 16 of the European Disability Championship Challenge Cup in Portugal.
Despite struggling to walk because of his condition, he said: “Luckily I have a slower version of MND, called Primary Lateral Sclerosis. I will live a normal life span but to what capacity I do not know. I just try to be as positive as I can and focus on what I can do.”