Latest news with #TheRocket
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ronnie O'Sullivan offered major deal by Barry Hearn as sports icon looks beyond snooker
BARRY HEARN is keen to get behind Ronnie O'Sullivan's proposal for snooker academies across the UK. O'Sullivan, 49, revealed his potting masterplan during the World Snooker Championship for a series of clubs in the four Home Nations and Ireland. Advertisement 2 Ronnie O'Sullivan plans to build snooker academies across the UK 2 Promoter Barry Hearn is keen to back O'Sullivan's vision The Rocket reckons him and fellow Class of 92 graduates Mark Williams (Wales) and John Higgins and 1997 world champion Ken Doherty (Ireland) could use their names to front the academies. However, it needs serious funding, perhaps by government channels, and a long-term vision to help discover the next generation to rival the talented young Chinese cueists coming through. There are only two Brits under the age of 30 in the top 50 spots on the world rankings – Jackson Page (23) and Joe O'Connor (29) -- compared to 11 from China, which includes This was put to Hearn, who is a very wealthy man and the president of Matchroom Sport – who plays on Tuesday in the UK Open pool first round – who has embraced the idea. Advertisement Read More on Snooker Hearn, 76, said: 'We've got to work harder on that. We need more academies. 'But you need people that want to play and there's got to be a reason for that. 'I mean the youngsters now that watch 'There's a million people under-21 who are out of work. This is a potential disaster. We're losing the generation. Advertisement Most read in Snooker CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'And sport can be a way of curing that. Snooker can help, I hope. But we need to do more. Definitely. 'So the exhibition of snooker that we are seeing here in Sheffield, maybe a kid goes, 'I'd like to have a go at that'. Ronnie O'Sullivan makes rare blunder in first break of World Snooker Championship semi-final 'The Class of 92 are still an unbelievable story. You think every 50-year-old should start playing snooker because that's the age to be. Advertisement 'But we need the Luke Littler effect in snooker without doubt. 'Ronnie likes his academies. He's got one in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and it's beautiful. They look after him extremely well. 'I don't think he'll get quite the same treatment if he launches a series of academies in England. 'But to use his name would be a very valuable asset in trying to promote grassroots. Advertisement 'And I think if he has really serious ideas, I would welcome a meeting between him and World Snooker. Hearn backs O'Sullivan 'It's all right having a plan. My whole life has been about plans in my head. You have to live them out. 'You can't just say something now. You've gotta do something. 'But if he is serious about it, I would 100 per cent welcome it and get beyond him solidly to launch a series of Advertisement O'Sullivan has seven world titles – a record he shares with Stephen Hendry – and provided he locates a proper cue at some point, having snapped his favourite one in January, he will aim to go for No8 in 2026. Time is running out, of course, for him to achieve that dream and yet he has been badly overlooked by the honours system for what he has done in the sport, given he has only received an OBE. Ronnie praise Hearn said: 'Ronnie O'Sullivan has been the best player in the world for many years. 'There's no question about that. And what he's doing this week is typical Ronnie O'Sullivan, defying all the odds and all logic. Advertisement 'Breaks his cue. Comes back. Tries three or four cues. I mean the boy is a total phenomenon. 'There's a case to say that he deserves to be picked out and to be knighted for services to snooker. 'I mean he's human. He has different parts of attitude that may not appeal to everybody. 'But for his sheer excellence, I think there's a very good case to be made. And I would welcome it.' Advertisement
Sky News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
Zhao Xintong becomes first player from China to win snooker world championship as he beats Mark Williams
Zhao Xintong has become the first player from China to win the snooker world championship after beating Mark Williams 18-12. The 28-year-old is also only the third winner of the tournament to have come through qualifying since it moved to Sheffield in 1977. Sunday night's session began 17-8, meaning Zhao only needed one frame to clinch the title. Three-time world champion Williams gave his fans faint hope of the most dramatic of comebacks when he won the opening four frames, including a break of 101. However, it was only a matter of time and Zhao, nicknamed 'The Cyclone', finally got the frame he needed. He wins £500,000 and the prestige of being the first Chinese and Asian champion at the Crucible. Fifty-year-old Welshman Williams paid tribute to his opponent, saying there's "a new superstar of the game and he's over there". Despite his huge lead, Zhao admitted he was "so nervous" ahead of the final frames and that his historic win seemed like a dream. He thanked his family and coaches and said he would probably "have a good drink tonight". The player was joined by his mother and girlfriend as the ticker tape fell, and he collected the trophy. Zhao - who now lives in the UK - was banned for 20 months in 2023 for his part in a match-fixing scandal. Despite not throwing a match himself, he lost his professional status and was barred from the snooker world tour, though he's due back next season. Zhao also thrashed his hero Ronnie O'Sullivan 17-7 in the semi-final "The Rocket" posted a picture of the pair together when his opponent was a child alongside the caption: "How it started vs how it's going." A record 10 Chinese players made it to the Crucible this year, and Zhao's victory could make him a huge star back home and propel the sport to new heights. When Ding Junhui made it to the final in 2016, more than 200 million people in China are estimated to have watched on TV.
Sky News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
Zhao Xintong becomes first player from China to win snooker world championship as he beats Mark Williams 18-12
Zhao Xintong has become the first player from China to win the snooker world championship after beating Mark Williams 18-12. The 28-year-old is also only the third winner of the tournament to have come through qualifying since it moved to Sheffield in 1977. Sunday night's session began 17-8, meaning Zhao only needed one frame to clinch the title. Three-time world champion Williams gave his fans faint hope the biggest of comebacks could come true when he won the opening four frames, including a break of 101. However, it was only a matter of time and Zhao, nicknamed 'The Cyclone', finally got the frame he needed. He wins £500,000 and the prestige of being the first Chinese and Asian champion at the Crucible. Welshman Williams paid tribute to his opponent, saying there's "a new superstar of the game and he's over there". The player - who now lives in the UK - was banned for 20 months in 2023 for his part in a match-fixing scandal. Despite not throwing a match himself, he lost his professional status and was barred from the snooker world tour, though he's due back next season. Zhao also thrashed his hero Ronnie O'Sullivan 17-7 in the semi-final "The Rocket" posted a picture of the pair together when his opponent was a child alongside the caption: "How it started vs how it's going." A record 10 Chinese players made it to the Crucible this year, and Zhao's victory could make him a huge star back home and propel the sport to new heights. When Ding Junhui made it to the final in 2016, more than 200 million people in China are estimated to have watched on TV. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
Wales Online
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Meet World Snooker Championship final ref Desislava Bozhilova who clashed with Ronnie O'Sullivan
Meet World Snooker Championship final ref Desislava Bozhilova who clashed with Ronnie O'Sullivan Bulgarian official Desislava Bozhilova will fulfil a 'dream' when she becomes only the second woman to referee the World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible in Sheffield Desislava Bozhilova has been tasked with officiating the World Snooker Championship final (Image: Getty Images ) Referee Desislava Bozhilova is set to realise a 'dream' as she prepares to officiate the World Snooker Championship final, becoming only the second woman ever to oversee the Crucible's main event. At 32 years old, Bozhilova, who debuted on the World Snooker Tour in 2012 after being a lifelong fan of cue sports, has steadily risen through the ranks to become one of the sport's most respected officials. Desi first stepped into the Crucible arena in 2019 and has since taken charge of a semi-final at the esteemed venue. The year 2025 will see her reach a pinnacle moment as she officiates a Triple Crown of finals. We delve into the Bulgarian referee's life beyond the baize, exploring her passion for baking, and touch on a memorable fiery exchange with snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan, as well as her sentiments on achieving a final 'dream'. Ronnie O'Sullivan clash During a tense quarter-final match between The Rocket and Stuart Bingham last year, O'Sullivan expressed dissatisfaction with how Bozhilova had respotted the black ball before declining a red during the 12th frame, reports the Mirror. As the match approached its nail-biting conclusion, tied at 10 frames each, the audience began to filter back into the arena while another game featuring Kyren Wilson and John Higgins was about to resume following an interval. The referee has clashed with O'Sullivan in the past (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below With the crowd noise rising, O'Sullivan returned to his seat, preparing for a pivotal shot at a red. It was then that Bozhilova addressed the spectators, requesting: "Would you take your seats quickly, and then hold the door closed for a minute." As The Rocket hesitated to approach the table amid crowd noise, referee Bozhilova attempted to nudge him by saying: "But we might wait 20 minutes." To which O'Sullivan retorted humorously with: "It's not 20 minutes. Just chill, chill." "I'm chilled," replied the referee tersely. This chilly exchange didn't quite boost O'Sullivan during the match, although he did pot a red in the top-right corner. However, he ultimately succumbed to a 13-10 defeat against his adversary Bingham, shattering his dreams of securing an eighth title at the Crucible. Baking passion When it comes to baking, Bozhilova is just as talented as her officiating, holding a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture and displaying her exquisite cake-making prowess on social media. Her Instagram account overflows with colourful and elaborate confectioneries, featuring Christmas trees, unicorns, and even snooker balls, charming her audience of 37,000 followers. Bozhilova shows off her bakes on social media (Image: Instagram/@desbozhilova ) Refereeing 'dream' Before donning the white gloves, the Bulgarian was an avid player of pool and snooker in her childhood. By 2012, Bozhilova had achieved her goal of becoming an international referee and marked her WST debut the same year. Landing the opportunity to be only the second female ever appointed to oversee a Crucible final - joining Michaela Tabb, who did so in 2009 and 2012 - Bozhilova acknowledged it as the realisation of a lifelong 'dream'. "I am really excited, it was an amazing feeling when I was given the news," she expressed to World Snooker. "It is what I have worked towards for many years, it has been my dream. It will be different to any other final because of the atmosphere at the Crucible. Article continues below "Since I started working in snooker, I have learned everything from the more experienced referees. They give advice and tell us how to improve. There is a lot of teamwork, and we support each other," she concluded with joy.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Snooker Champs final ref Desislava Bozhilova's secret passion and Ronnie O'Sullivan tension
Bulgarian official Desislava Bozhilova will be in charge of this year's World Snooker Championship final, with her secret cooking passion and past irks with Ronnie O'Sullivan Referee Desislava Bozhilova will fulfil a 'dream' when she steps up to officiate the World Snooker Championship final, becoming only the second woman to take charge of the Crucible showpiece. The 32-year-old made her World Snooker Tour debut in 2012, having grown up an avid cue sport enthusiast, and has made significant inroads into becoming one of the professional game's finest. Desi first entered the Crucible in 2019 and has officiated a semi-final at the historic venue. However, 2025 will mark her crowning glory as she completes a Triple Crown of finals. Mirror Sport takes an in-depth look into the Bulgarian's life away from the table, including her keen baking interests, as well as a past heated exchange with the iconic Ronnie O'Sullivan, and her thoughts on a final 'dream' come true. Ronnie O'Sullivan exchange During The Rocket's quarter-final clash against Stuart Bingham 12 months ago, O'Sullivan took issue early with how referee Bozhilova had respotted a black, turning down a red in the 12th frame. As the clash reached its climax, with O'Sullivan and his opponent poised on 10 frames apiece, fans entered the arena as the other match on the floor – Kyren Wilson and John Higgins' bout – was about to start after a mid-session break. O'Sullivan went back to his chair as crowd noise ensued, waiting to take aim at a crucial red, and Bozhilova uttered to spectators: "Would you take your seats quickly, and then hold the door closed for a minute." As the official gestured to The Rocket to return to the table, he refused, still put off by the noise in the crowd, to which Bozhilova said: "But we might wait 20 minutes." O'Sullivan quickly replied, quipping: "It's not 20 minutes. Just chill, chill." "I'm chilled," was the referee's response. This frosty interaction wouldn't aid O'Sullivan in the match, but it did see him sink the top-right corner-positioned red. He would fall 13-10 to opponent Bingham, and see his hopes of an eight Crucible crown blown to pieces. Passion for baking Not only does Bozhilova hold a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture, but she is also an expert cake-maker, and shows off her skills on social media. The Bulgarian's Instagram page is filled to the brim with bright and intricate baked designs, including Christmas trees, unicorns and snooker balls – all of which are loved by her 37,000 followers. Officiating origin and Crucible' dream' The 32-year-old played pool and snooker growing up in her native Bulgaria before she swapped a cue for white gloves. In 2012, she passed her exam to become an international referee and made her WST debut that year. When she was informed she'd become only the second woman to take charge of a Crucible final, the other being the trailblazing Michaela Tabb in 2009 and 2012, Bozhilova admitted that this honour was a true 'dream'. "I am really excited, it was an amazing feeling when I was given the news," she told World Snooker. "It is what I have worked towards for many years, it has been my dream. It will be different to any other final because of the atmosphere at the Crucible. "Since I started working in snooker, I have learned everything from the more experienced referees. They give advice and tell us how to improve. There is a lot of teamwork, and we support each other," she joyously concluded.
