Ronnie O’Sullivan chasing eighth Crucible title at 50 years of age

In 2001 Ronnie O’Sullivan won his first World Snooker Championship. Now, a quarter of a century later, he is aiming for a record-breaking eighth title.

The 50-year-old has lifted the trophy seven times; This was a feat achieved only by Stephen Hendry in the 1990s; No one has been this successful in the modern era.

O’Sullivan already holds a number of snooker records, including becoming the oldest winner of a Crucible final following his latest success in 2022 at the age of 46.

However, the player nicknamed Rocket still continues to reach new heights even though he has reached half a century.

He made a break of 153 at the World Open in China last month, the highest point ever recorded in professional snooker. He took advantage of the first snooker which left him a free ball and made it act as the 16th red.

He reached the final of the tournament and lost 5-3 to O’Sullivan in the last 16. Shaun Murphy was impressed with his performance.

“When I played him in Yushan he looked pretty sharp and it was a very quality match,” said 2005 world champion Murphy. “He hasn’t been at his best this season but when he gets in there and gets into the flow he’s still as good as ever.

“It would be great for snooker to get to eight and it would be great for him too, it would be a story everyone wants to write and it would be an incredible achievement.

“But he’s running out of time so he’s got to do it sooner or later, but he’s Ronnie O’Sullivan so you can’t ignore him.”