IT WAS only 10 days ago that bowls legend Alex Marshall, of Tranent, was defeated in the final of the 2024 World Indoor Bowls Championships, scuppering his bid for a record seventh open singles title.
His maiden title came exactly 25 years ago this week, when a fresh-faced Marshall, aged 31, beat David Gourlay at Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk - where the championships are still held - to take home the 1999 trophy and £25,000 first prize.
Here's how the Courier reported the triumph:
He told the Courier then: "It was my ambition to become the world champion by the year 2000 and I've done that."
Marshall, known as Tattie, would go on to win the World Indoor Singles title again in 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2015.
In 2007, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours for services to bowls.
Marshall, pictured above with his wife Diane and the 1999 World Indoor Bowls Championships trophy, also has seven World Outdoor Championship Gold medals and four Commonwealth Games Gold medals.
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