Kelly Fisher - Part 2 (From Snooker Prodigy to the World Stage )
In Part 2 of our six-part Legends of the Cue conversation with Pool and Snooker Hall of Famer Kelly Fisher, MBE, we journey through her teenage years as one of England’s most gifted young cueists. With the same grit that would one day define her career, Kelly recalls her early training under coach Lionel Payne, the punishing drills that shaped her stroke, and the discipline that separated her from her peers. From the long blues and line-up routines to her relentless pursuit of perfection, listeners gain an inside look at what it takes to become world-class before adulthood.
Alongside fellow champion Allison Fisher, coach Mark Wilson, and Mike Gonzalez Kelly opens up about the sacrifices of youth — missing out on parties and friends while chasing mastery on the 12-foot snooker table. Yet, her passion never wavered. She shares stories of traveling to India as a teenager for her first World Championship appearance, finding confidence among older competitors, and embracing the camaraderie that came with representing the women’s game abroad.
With humor and humility, Kelly reflects on the lessons that still guide her: focus, repetition, and the belief that “you win your fights in the gym.” The episode also explores her early inspirations — Jimmy White, Steve Davis, and the era of Pot Black — as she carved her own path in a male-dominated sport.
From earning her first world title at just 19 to the drive that kept her at the table long after practice ended, this episode captures Kelly Fisher at the moment her destiny became clear — a young champion poised to take on the world.
🎱 “Legends of the Cue” — Celebrating the life and legacy of the game’s greatest players, one story at a time.
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Music by Lyrium.
About
"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”
Fisher, Kelly
Pool Professional
Before transitioning to pool, Kelly Fisher was the world's top-ranked snooker player, winning 8 World Championship titles, 7 European Championship titles, and over 50 ranking events, including a record 15 consecutive tournament wins.
In 2004, Kelly moved to the USA to pursue American Pool, starting as an amateur and quickly turning professional. She won her first WPBA Pro event in 2005 and went on to claim the US Open title, earning the #1 ranking on the WPBA and Player of the Year honors.
Her rapid playing style earned her the nickname "Kwikfire."
Kelly established herself in the Asian women's pool circuit, winning major titles such as the World 9-ball, World 10-ball, China Open, and the Amway Cup.
From 2012 to the present, she has held the WPA World #1 ranking, WPBA #1 ranking, and CBSA China #1 ranking multiple times and has been named World Player of the Year by the WPA on numerous occasions.
She won numerous events and titles between 2012 and 2019 including the coveted US Open and her second World 9 Ball crown in Sanya, China.
Despite the challenges of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was named Player of the Decade by Billiards Digest and was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame. She finished the year as the #1 ranked player on both the WPA and WPBA rankings.
In 2021, as events resumed, Kelly continued her winning streak, claiming the Predator Austrian Open and achieving a record 10 consecutive event wins in American Pool. She maintained her #1 World ranking for… Read More