Snooker Special Report: Ronnie O'Sullivan- The controversial rocket
Ronald Antonio O’Sullivan known as Ronnie O’Sullivan is regarded as the all-time great snooker player. Born on 5th December 1975, in Wordsley, West Midlands, in United Kingdom, Ronnie is nick named “rocket” because of his aggressive, mercurial
and lively style of play.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is believed to be the most talented and skilful cueist in the sport of snooker. He is admired by his fellow cue-men, rivals and fans alike. He began to play snooker in his childhood, being able to make a century score of 117 when he was
just 10-years of age. Ronnie scored a maximum break of 147 at the age of 15 and got professional snooker player status when he was just 16-years-old.
He is the youngest ever player in the history of snooker to have won a ranking tournament. He won 1993 United Kingdom championship at the age of 17 beating Stephen Hendry.
Career prize money – Ronnie stands on the second spot in the career prize money list, with earnings of above £6 million. In 1996 world championship world professional billiards and snooker association, found Ronnie guilty of abusing a media
official. As a punishment he was fined £20,000 and two-year suspension, he was also directed to give £10,000 in charity.
Early career – O’Sullivan is the youngest player ever to win a ranking tournament; he started to play snooker at an early age. He lost his first professional tournament world championship in 1993, where he was the 2nd youngest
player to qualify. In the same season, Ronnie claimed the UK championship titles beating the legendary Stephen Hendry in the final. After that, Ronnie did not look back and cruised to the heights of perfection and excellence.
Now world-number-nine Ronnie has been world champion for three times in his career. He has captured the ‘top spot’ five times, and holds a record of 10 maximum breaks of 147 in professional career.
Fastest 147 – Ronnie the Rocket or often known as “The Magician” holds a record of scoring the maximum 147 in 5 minutes and 20 seconds. In 1997 world championship, he did this astounding century against Mick Price which is also a Guinness
world record.
The 36-years-old English cueist has won a total of 22 ranking tournaments and several non-ranking and invitational events.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has an impressive track record and he has beat all the big guns of the sport including John Higgins, Stephen Hendry turned out to be Ronnie’s most dominant rival, Steve Davis, Marco Fu, and Ding Junhui. Despite his inspiring record and
marvellous career progress has been surrounded by various controversies.
Controversies – There has been number of controversies regarding Ronnie over the years. In the year 1996 during the world championship, Ronnie tried to beat up a media official and as a result, he was suspended for two years along with £30,000
fine.
Ronnie has also been found guilty of taking drugs during the Irish masters in 1998. He was disqualified and his title was taken back, when THC was found in his blood.
In 2002 world championship, Ronnie and his old rival Stephen Hendry met each other in the semi-final. In pre-match press conference, Ronnie made a mockery of Hendry and told him to go back to his sad little life. Stephen won that match, and Ronnie accused
him of foul-playing and poor sportsmanship. Later Ronnie had to apologize for his accusations.
In United Kingdom championship 2006 quarter final match, Ronnie faced Hendry. Ronnie was four frames down and looked terribly depressed. After winning a frame with a century, Ronnie shook hands with Hendry saying “I have had enough of it”, after another
hand shake this time with the match referee Ronnie left the auditorium leaving his fans stunned and desperate. Later Ronnie apologized to the fans and WPBSA for his act, and pledged that he will perform and come back into the tournament.
O’Sullivan ‘the rocket’ has confessed on several occasions that he remains under stress and is seeing a psychiatrist.
Ronnie is the only player who could play with both his left and right arm on high level, this divine skill also got him into trouble. He played with his left arm against the Canadian Alain Robidoux, Alain accused him of foul-play and refused to shake hands
with Ronnie after the match. Ronnie’s reply was that “he played better with his left hand than Alain could with his right”. This confrontation resulted in a formal complaint against Ronnie, later Ronnie proved that he can actually play high level with his
left hand. The allegations and the inquiry was called off later.
Achievements –
World championship 2001, 2004, and 2008 United Kingdom championship 1993, 1997, 2001, and 2007 Asian classic 1996 German open 1996 Scottish open 1998, and 2000 China open 1999, and 2000 European open 2003 Irish masters 2003, and 2005 Welsh open 2004, and 2005 Grand prix 2004 Northern Ireland trophy 2008 Shanghai masters 2009
Ronnie has divine skills to play beautiful and magical snooker, and he is believed to be the best around. All that comes in his way and consistent perfection is the psychological problems he faces. The 36-year-old English cue-man has always lived on the
edge.
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