Latest news with #AlfieBurden
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘It could make me cry' – History-making female referee retires from traditional snooker in emotional statement
SNOOKER referee Michaela Tabb has announced she is stepping away from the sport. The trailblazing ref, 57, made history as the first female to referee a World Championship final in 2009. 5 5 5 Tabb was on the baize for the World Seniors Snooker Tour final between Alfie Burden and Aaron Canavan on Sunday. She announced she would be retiring from refereeing following the contest. The Scot said: "I'm excited to hang up my gloves if I'm being honest, for traditional snooker. I think I've done my time. "I'm getting to an age where it would be nice to watch other people doing that, especially after seeing another female coming up now and refereeing the final at the main World Championships. 'It's been like 15 years that we've been waiting for that to sort of happen. "So I'm happy now to let the young guns do it." Tabb, 57, made history as the first female referee at a world ranking tournament. She made her debut back in 2002 after being fast-tracked by impressed snooker bosses. Tabb would go on to officiate the 2009 and 2012 Crucible finals. She left the World Snooker Tour in March 2015 after reaching a settlement with the WST. Emotional Zhao Xintong shares touching moment with rarely-seen girlfriend after World Snooker Championship triumph Tabb added: "I will still work with Snooker Legends and I'll still do the 900. "But for traditional snooker, my day will be finished. "I feel emotional even just talking about it to be honest. "Honestly, it could make me cry, and I was so lucky to have two finals and so many other matches as well." Tabb has been followed into snooker by Desislava Bozhilova, 32, who refereed the world final between Mark Williams and Zhao Xintong earlier this month. The Bulgarian is also a Landscape Architect as well as a master cake baker. Ahead of the final in Sheffield, Bozhilova said: "I don't know about other sports, but in snooker we are equal. 'It does not matter if you are a female or male ref. "If you are good enough and you do your job properly, you get your opportunities." 5 5
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
World Seniors Snooker Championship final 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Alfie Burden thrashes Aaron Canavan in huge showpiece match
ALFIE BURDEN has been crowned king of the World Seniors Snooker Championship for 2025 after thrashing Aaron Canavan in a thrilling Crucible final! The English icon beat Canavan 8-4 but it could have been worse had he not let his foot off the gas. This also marks Burden's first-ever Seniors title, snatching the crown off Igor Figueiredo. Much-loved snooker heroes Jimmy White and Ken Doherty suffered shock exits in the first round. 7th May 2025, 11:17 By Emillia Hawkins Who is the reigning champion? Last year, Brazil's Igor Figueiredo made history by becoming the first player from outside of Europe to lift the prestigious World Seniors trophy. The 47-year-old beat Ken Doherty 5-2 in the blockbuster final and will return to the Crucible as defending champion this week. 7th May 2025, 11:13 By Emillia Hawkins Welcome! Hello and welcome to SunSport's coverage of the World Seniors Snooker Championship! With the World Snooker Championship having finished on Monday with Zhao Xintong taking the crown, we now move on to the Seniors compeition. At the Crucible, 16 players - including some legends of the sport - will compete for the title.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
World Seniors Snooker Championship 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Aaron Canavan faces Alfie Burden in huge final RIGHT NOW
THE World Seniors Championship reaches its crescendo as Aaron Canavan and Alfie Burden facing off in a huge Crucible final NOW! A new champion will be crowned after 2024 winner, Igor Figueiredo, went crashing out in the first round. Much-loved snooker heroes Jimmy White and Ken Doherty were also eliminated in their respective openers. The big final will be contested between 2018 winner Canavan and 2023 finalist Burden after both came through thrilling semi-finals in Sheffield. 10th May 2025, 15:21 By Craig Mahood Dominic Dale 0-0 Aaron Canavan Terrific reception for both men - isn't that nicer than the low crowds when starting matches at 9.45pm!?? Canavan to break in the opening frame - game on! 10th May 2025, 15:19 By Craig Mahood Here they come... It's Dominic Dale vs Aaron Canavan in the second semi, with both looking to book their place against Alfie Burden in tomorrow's final. Canavan is the only previous winner of this competition - how might that play into his hands? 10th May 2025, 15:16 By Craig Mahood Winning black The final shot of this semi final with Alfie Burden sticking the crucial black ball away. The two men share a hug after it and plenty of mutual respect between them. By Craig Mahood More from Alfie He finished by revealing his plans for the evening, saying: 'I'm over the moon and delighted to have another crack to win this tournament. 'I played well, he was a tricky opponent. He didn't settle early but showed he can play and put me under pressure. 'I'm behaving tonight, I'm here to win this tournament. I might go for an Italian or something!' 10th May 2025, 15:08 By Craig Mahood 'Massive' Burden added: 'It'd be massive for me to win this, I'll be ready for tomorrow and hopefully I can win it. 'I don't know if it'd be the biggest achievement of my career, but probably! 'I'm just focusing on trying to win tomorrow.' 10th May 2025, 15:04 By Craig Mahood Alfie reacts A touch of class from Alfie Burden who opens his interview saying: 'I just want to say how well he did in this tournament coming from Australia. 'He played fantastic and what a great tournament, well done to him.'
