
World Snooker Championship 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Ronnie O'Sullivan resumes clash against foe Ali Carter, Trump LEADS Zhou
WORLD Snooker Championship action is rolling on at pace from the iconic Crucible as Ronnie O'Sullivan resumes his tense match against rival Ali Carter!
The Rocket narrowly leads 5-4 but Carter battled back to set up the perilous tie.
While World No 1 Judd Trump is beating Zhou Yuelong 6-3 in his tournament opener as he bids to become only the 10th multiple champion of the Crucible era.
And there will be a new champion this year - after Kyren Wilson suffered a shock loss to Lei Peifan in his opener.
19th Apr 2025, 09:16 By Nyle Smith
Ronnie's reality check
Ronnie O'Sullivan fears he has lost his bottle — and warned he may quit the World Snooker Championship if he has 'a meltdown'.
The Rocket said: 'I'm not playing until Tuesday. So if I have a meltdown, who knows? I might still bloody withdraw. I hope I don't.
"I'm surprised I'm here but I'm here. I don't have any expectations.
"I'd just like to not feel all at sea out there. If I can just play and at least feel semi-competitive, I'd be happy with that.
"Could I win the whole thing? I doubt it. I'd be very happy to just give Ali a game.
"I'm nearly 50 now and there's a lot of young guys who are hungry and competing all the time. It's a bit different to say 2012, 2013."
19th Apr 2025, 09:02 By Nyle Smith
The Crucible curse
The Crucible curse is the quip given to the fact that no first-time world champion has ever retained their crown the following year.
Since the tournament moved to the Crucible in 1977 it has cursed 19 players in a row with every debut champion crumbling under the pressure of snooker 's grandest stage.
Some have come close though - Joe Johnson and Ken Doherty both made it to the final the year after their maiden victories - but most don't get anywhere near that far.
As recently as 2023, Luca Brecel was doomed by the curse, losing in the first round of the 2024 tournament after winning the title the year before.
Brecel is not on his own though - seven champions have gone on to lose their first match the following year.
Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby have all managed to win consecutive titles at the Crucible, but they had won the championship previously.
Wilson returns to South Yorkshire as the reigning champion and is determined to lift the curse and posted a hilarious video to social media in an effort to exorcise the demons.
In the video, Wilson jokingly completed some of the superstitions people believe to bring us bad luck, including smashing a mirror and holding his World Championship trophy next to a black cat.
19th Apr 2025, 09:01 By Nyle Smith
Wil he win it again?
Kyren Wilson claimed his first world title after some thrilling action at the Crucible, beating Jak Jones in the 2024 final.
The Kettering superstar beat Jak Jones 18-14 despite a spirited comeback from the qualifier.
And he'll be hoping to break the Crucible curse this year.
By Nyle Smith
Welcome to SunSport's World Snooker Championship 2025 coverage
The day we have all been waiting for is FINALLY here… The World Snooker Championship and us here at SunSport will be ALL over it for the first ball to the last.
Last year's winner, Kyren Wilson, heads to Sheffield as top seed after he claimed the crown with an 18-14 win over Jak Jones in the 2024 final.
World No1 Judd Trump will be heavily tipped to take the title this year as the Ace aims to add to his 2019 world championship triumph.
Seven-time Crucible winner Ronnie O'Sullivan hasn't featured since January but is set to make his return to snooker in Sheffield.
John Higgins heads into the World Championship as the man in form after the Scotsman won the Tour Championship earlier this month.
This year's competition promises to be a thriller, and SunSport brings you all the information so you don't miss a second from the Crucible.
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Powys County Times
6 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Being made an MBE shows I've helped ‘change face of darts'
World number one Luke Humphries says being made an MBE shows how far he has helped to take darts. Humphries has been given the accolade in the King's Birthday Honours along with great rival Luke Littler for their achievements over the last 18 months. The 30-year-old has won eight major titles, including the 2024 World Championship, and set a standard that only Littler has been able to match. Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have been awarded MBE's in the King's Birthday Honours, recognising their contribution to the sport of darts Congratulations to both 👏 👉 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 13, 2025 The 18-year-old is primarily responsible for opening up the sport to a new audience, but Humphries has stood alongside him. 'It's something that me and Luke have really done together,' he told the PA news agency. 'I know he's done it on a much bigger scale, and from a younger generational part of it, but I think him having someone that can compete with him, compete against him and push him all the way, it's made it really exciting for the sport. 'I think that's grown so many new fans. Everyone's talking about darts now, and I think that we're two of the pioneering parts of that. 'We've changed the face of darts over the last couple of years. It's starting to become a younger man's game. It's nice to be at the forefront of that.' Less than two years ago, Humphries' future was in doubt after he suffered anxiety attacks, but he went on a winning spree that has turned his life around and will lead to a visit to the royal family. 'I feel really good about it, it's obviously something that was very unexpected,' he added. 'When I got the letter, I kind of couldn't believe when I opened it and it's a very proud moment. 'My mum and dad are obviously incredibly proud as well. Their son's obviously getting an MBE, which is quite a feat, to be honest. 'It usually happens later on in people's careers, but it's happened in mine pretty early. 'I feel pretty blessed, to be honest, I'm fortunate enough to get one. 'My girlfriend and my son will be very, very proud, especially my son. When he grows up and understands what it means, I'm sure he'd be very, very proud.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Professional Darts Corporation (@officialpdc) Humphries was congratulated on his honour by Littler, who earlier this year became the youngest ever world champion at the age of 17 years and 347 days. 'He's a fantastic ambassador for darts and, although he's a rival, I can't wait to partner him in the World Cup this weekend,' Littler said on the PDC website. On being made an MBE himself, Littler added: 'This is an amazing and unexpected honour, but one which I am very grateful for. 'To receive a recognition like this is something I had never thought would be possible and it is a proud moment. 'It's unbelievable what I've done for my sport. I'm happy, my family is happy and I can't wait to receive it.'


Powys County Times
7 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Luke Humphries says being made an MBE shows how far he has helped take darts
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Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Incredible rise of Luke Littler from £2m winnings, record world title and MBE – one of seven darts stars to get honour
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