Finland's Mika Immonen, who was twice a winner of World Championship events in pool, has passed away at the age of 52.
The 2001 nine-ball world champion and 2009 10-ball world champion was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023, and lost his battle with the illness yesterday in hospital in New York, United States.
It was a battle that Immonen fought right until the end - he even participated in the US Open last month, reaching the second round of a tournament he also won twice in the past.
“He was as warrior as you can be until the end,” close friend Toni Ursin told the media.
"Sometimes he was really sick, sometimes he was full of enthusiasm. He practically always went straight from the hospital to the games. That was practically how the rest of the time was. He left with his boots on, although of course this was a long process."
Seven-time world snooker champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan, took to X to express his devastation at the news of Immonen's passing.
Born in London but with Finnish roots, "The Iceman" was a regular fixture in Europe's Mosconi Cup team, taking part 13 teams and twice winning the MVP award.
The second of those awards, in 2008, was particularly sweet for the Finn, as he banished memories of a decisive loss in the final game of the 2006 event.