Apr 22, 2004 04:06 PM
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(Updated Apr 22, 2004 04:09 PM)
Summary
Ronnie is, in the opinion of most pundits, the most naturally talented player the game has ever seen although some favour Alex Higgins or Jimmy White. What is certain is that he is ready to assume the mantle of 'Peoples Champion', which they previously held. Sadly, like other supremely talented sportsmen - Alex Higgins from snooker and George Best from football to name just two - Ronnie's temperament is questionable and he often performs well below his best and frequently seems to lose interest. His talent is such, however, that he can build century breaks left-handed as well as right and when he is in the 'groove', his opponents can do nothing but sit back and admire his magic. He has no less than five officially recognized maximums to his name and now stands fourth in the all-time prize money list with over £3 million.
What is left for him to achieve?
Well I am sure he would hope to win more world titles and if his mind is right it is difficult to see anyone preventing him from doing so.
b>Bio-Data
First Name: Ronnie
Last Name: O'Sullivan
Category: Professional
Town / Country: Chigwell, Essex, England
DoB: 5 December 1975
Club: Ilford
High Break: 147
Ranking: 1st (2002/03).
Highlights
This shooting machine has been making headlines since he was 10. He has been a under 16 champion & he achieved his very first Snooker 147 at the age of 15 while playing a English Amateurs Championship. He won the IBSF World under-21 championship, at the age of 15!. He became a professional during the year of 1992 & won 38 straight matches. He reached a rank of 57 in his debut year.
In 1993 season he won over Steve Davis ( 9-6) in the semi-final of the UK championship, before beating Stephen Hendry in the final (10-6) & became the youngest champion ever. Ronnie thrilled the world with a magnificent 147 maximum in just 5 minutes and 20 seconds. He collected £165,000 for this effort but sadly lost in the deciding frame in the next round to Darren Morgan.
He won both the German Open and Asian Classic titles, in the season of 1996-97. He also joined the Elite group of ?The Big Four? Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Mark Williams, in the same year. The 2000/01 season started on a positive note with victory in the Champions Cup. This was swiftly followed by winning the Regal Masters in Motherwell after which he got to the Grand Prix final, losing to Mark Williams.
All Ronnie had left to achieve was the world number one position in the rankings and he started the next season well with a semi-final in the British Open. He then made his fifth maximum break in the new LG Cup, which he followed with his third UK title. He ended the season with 3 championship victories.
Achievements:
World Professional champion 2001
United Kingdom champion 1993, 1997, 2001
British Open champion 1994
Asian Classic champion 1996
Irish Masters champion 2001
Champions Cup winner 2000
Premier League winner 1997, 2001, 2002
