Four-time world champion Gareth Potts is one of 8-ball pool’s global superstar professionals – both on and off the table.

It was apparent from an early age that Potts was a very special talent and destined to become one of the sport’s all-time greats. A world junior champion in 2000, he also claimed back-to-back European junior championships in 2000 and 2001.

Potts made a smooth transition to the seniors ranks and it wasn’t long before he was establishing himself as a force within the top echelons. In 2005, aged just 21-years-old, he won the WEPF World Championship in Blackpool.

During the television stages he defeated Yannick Beaufils 9-3 in the quarter-finals, two-time former champion Jason Twist 10-8 in the semi-finals and then denied another two-time winner Chris Melling 11-7 in the final.

Potts regained the trophy in 2007 when he got the better of Mick Hill 11-5 in the showpiece encounter. Twelve months later, he created history when he dispatched Twist 11-4 to become the first player ever to defend the title and win it on three occasions.

As well as countless other major professional titles and accolades, Potts reached another world title match in 2010 before a fourth world crown – this time under a different ruleset – arrived in 2014 following victory over Clint I’Anson at the Lakeside Country Club.

Following that triumph, it appeared as if Potts’ competitive days on the 7ft by 4 table were over as he began to carve out a successful and lucrative career in Asia playing Chinese 8-ball pool.

The Stoke-on-Trent star was an instant hit with the discipline and fans over in the Far East. Potts won the prestigious World Chinese 8-Ball Masters in 2013 – defeating Melling in the final – and would defend it in 2014 before winning it for a third time in 2017. ‘The Golden Boy’ was also victorious Stateside at the 2018 US Open in Los Angeles.

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Best UPG Tournament Results

Professional Series: 1x Event Winner (2021 Event 7)
Professional Cup: Last 32 (2021)
Champions League: N/A
Professional Grand Slam: Last 16 (2022)
Masters: N/A
Champion of Champions: Semi-Finalist (2021)
Pairs Cup: Opening Phase Group Winner (2021/22)

The lure of the Ultimate Pool circuit was too much for Potts to resist and he made a sensational return to his smaller table roots – following more than a seven-year absence - for the 2021 Professional Series.

It didn't take Potts long to become a major champion once again as he triumphed in Event 7, pocketing the £10,000 top prize in the process. It was close to being vintage Potts as he defeated Rob Wharne 7-4, Karl Sutton 7-6, Greg Batten 7-4, Chris Melling 7-5 and then the in-form Shaun Storry 9-4 in the live televised final.

Later in the month, he also reached the semi-finals of the Champion of Champions Shootout.

Potts teamed up with family member Mark Selby - the reigning four-time world snooker champion - to play in the Eative Ultimate Pool Pairs Cup. 'The Dream Team' dramatically won Group 4 of the competition via a three-way 6-reds shootout.