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Metro
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
The 10 greatest graduates from Q School as latest hopefuls attend class
There have been and remain multiple routes onto the professional snooker tour, with Q School a well-trodden path since being established in 2011. Amateur players battle it out in stressful, intense tournaments with the winners booking a spot on the World Snooker Tour for the next two seasons, while those who fall short have to play their snooker elsewhere. Players who have been on the pro tour since before 2011 have never had to face the pressure of Q School to keep their careers alive, so you won't have seen the likes of Judd Trump, Ronnie O'Sullivan or Mark Selby scrapping it out for their tour cards. That is not to say that Q School has not seen plenty of fantastic players over the years, though, with a number winning their places on tour and going on to win ranking events. For the following list of the greatest graduates from Q School, they are being judged on what they have achieved since their graduations. The likes of Fergal O'Brien, Joe Swail and Andy Hicks came back onto tour through Q School later in their careers, but their glory days were long before those times. But there are plenty who have earned their place on tour through Q School and gone on to great things, so any players lining up in Leicester this week can be inspired by these 10 names. In one of the biggest surprises in snooker history, Jordan Brown won the 2021 Welsh Open, beating Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final after downing Mark Selby and Stephen Maguire on his way to the showpiece. Just one ranking semi has followed that, which will disappoint the Northern Irishman, but what a win to have on his CV. Still just 23 years old, Jackson Page secured a brilliant piece of snooker history last month when he became the first player to make two 147s in the same match, doing so in World Championship qualifying. The Welshman reached his first ranking final this season and is continuing to make his way up the rankings as one of the brightest young British hopes. Similar to Brown's shock win, Fan Zhengyi pulled off a wild result by winning the 2022 European Masters, beating O'Sullivan in the final. He also hasn't followed it up with more success but the Chinese is still only 24 and has shown more good flashes, including a run to the Champion of Champions semis. Lei Peifan made a huge name for himself last season, firstly by winning the Scottish Open and then by beating defending champion Kyren Wilson at the Crucible. The 21-year-old has not done a great deal else yet as a professional, but if those two performances are anything to go by there is a lot more to come. The first player on this list to have reached the world's top 16, Jak Jones is also the first to have made it to a World Championship final. His run to the Crucible Showpiece in 2024 was his career highlight so far and his challenge now is to bring his Sheffield game to the rest of the tour, having not been to any other final as yet. Chris Wakelin has enjoyed a brilliant and much-improved two-and-a-half years on tour, stepping up at least one level from where he stood before. Winning the Shoot Out in 2023 remains his only ranking title, but finals of the Northern Ireland Open and International Championship have followed, as has a Masters debut and a run to the quarter-finals at the Crucible this year. One of the great rising talents in the game, but one who is yet to get his hands on any silverware, despite coming close. Si Jiahui has been to two ranking finals and the semi-finals of the World Championship and Saudi Arabia Masters, with a trophy for the 22-year-old seeming only a matter of time. In Gloucester back in 2014 Zhang Anda came through Q School and after years of not making many waves, he made his splash in the 2023/24 season. Zhang won the International Championship and reached the finals of the English Open and Players Championship, soaring into the top 16 in the process. Dave Gilbert had been on tour but fell off in 2011 and needed Q School to bounce straight back, just, losing in the first two finals before winning Event 3. Since then he has been to five ranking finals, winning one of them, two World Championship and two Masters semis, reaching a high of number 10 in the world. If any Q School hopeful this year needs some inspiration then look no further than the reigning world champion as Zhao Xintong graduated at the Meadowside Leisure Centre, Burton-upon-Trent in 2018. More Trending The Cyclone won the UK Championship in 2021 and German Masters in '22 before being banned from the sport only to return and conquer the Crucible this month, seven years on from beating Dechawat Poomjaeng to win Q School Event 2 in Burton. Honorary mentions go to the only future ranking event winner to come through Q School and not make this list, Michael Georgiou, and to Elliot Slessor who narrowly missed out on the top 10 because he's very good but is yet to reach a ranking final. UK Q School this year begins on Wednesday May 21 with 171 players competing to claim just eight tour cards. MORE: Snooker prospect Ronnie Sullivan doesn't love obvious comparison: 'It does my head in' MORE: World Women's Snooker Championship draw, schedule and how to watch MORE: Stephen Hendry names his top five snooker players of all-time
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
King loses appeal against snooker match-fixing ban
Snooker player Mark King has lost his appeal against a five-year ban for was handed the ban in November 2024 after an independent disciplinary committee found the Englishman guilty of one count of match-fixing and one count of providing inside information on a former Northern Ireland Open champion was suspended by the sport's world governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), on 18 March was after suspicious betting was reported on his match against Joe Perry on 13 February that year at the Welsh Open, which King lost 4-0. Perry was not accused of any was ordered to pay over £68,000 in costs and banned from the sport for five 51, contested the punishment and his appeal was heard by an independent appeals committee on 8-9 April former world number 11 presented four points to be heard within his appeal, one of which he chose to abandon at the start of the stated that bettors placing large sums on 4-1 and 4-2, as well as the actual result of 4-0, weakened the argument that he had agreed to lose also argued that his relationship with one of the people connected to the betting was he complained that the disciplinary committee reached a number of wrong conclusions surrounding his form and an injury he was suffering with going into the match against Perry."Nowhere in this appeal has it been demonstrated that a factual decision is so wrong it could not have been reached, or an evaluative decision is so wrong that it can be said to be unreasonable," the independent appeals committee's final report added: "In our view the committee reached reasonable, rational, logical, clear and reasoned conclusions based on all of the evidence which they clearly considered carefully and we find no reason to interfere with the conclusions it reached."King will be eligible for a return to the sport in March 2028.
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Snooker star Mark King loses appeal against five-year ban and £68k fine for match fixing
Snooker star Mark King loses appeal against five-year ban and £68k fine for match fixing Mark King was handed a five-year ban from snooker in November 2024 after being found guilty of one count of match fixing and one count of providing inside information Mark King's ban has been upheld (Image: (Image: Getty.) ) Snooker ace Mark King has had his appeal dismissed after being convicted of match fixing and providing inside information, meaning his five-year ban remains in place. The 51-year-old was suspended last November following suspicious betting activity during his match against Joe Perry at the 2023 Welsh Open. Perry, however, was not implicated in any wrongdoing. King refuted the charges and appealed the decision. However, the former world No. 11's appeal has been unsuccessful. He did not attend the hearing in person. Two other charges related to King's match with John Higgins on 13 December 2022 were dropped during the initial independent disciplinary committee's findings. King, who suffered a 4-0 defeat by Perry in Llandudno, maintained his innocence, arguing that numerous bets were also placed on a 4-2 or 4-1 loss. He suggested that if the result had been prearranged, bettors would have only wagered on a 4-0 outcome. The Essex-born snooker star also claimed that the original investigation failed to consider that he was nursing a finger injury during the match. Nonetheless, the committee dismissed King's claims and expressed that it was "concerned by the number of online and in-store bettors who could be linked." It discovered that these bettors had no previous history of betting on snooker, that accounts were created specifically to bet on the Perry match, and that some accounts were not used by the individuals who had opened them. Article continues below Mark King during his Welsh Open match with Joe Perry (Image: (Image: Getty) ) The WPBSA concluded its inquiries into King after receiving a tip-off that he was compensated £15,000 by an unidentified source to intentionally lose matches against Perry and Higgins. Although it expanded its probe to include the latter match, allegations linked to the match with Higgins were not substantiated. In a statement, the WPBSA announced: "On November 7, 2024, the Independent Disciplinary Committee delivered its final decision in the case of the WPBSA and Mark King. He was found guilty of one count of match fixing and one count of providing inside information on his match played against Joe Perry on February 13, 2023. He was suspended from the sport for five years and ordered to pay £68,299.50 in costs. "Mark King appealed the decision of the Independent Disciplinary Committee and on April 8, 2025, his appeal was heard by an Independent Appeals Committee chaired by Philip Evans KC. "On May 13, 2025, the Independent Appeals Committee issued its decision on the appeal. Mr King's appeal has been refused and the findings against Mr King regarding his match with Joe Perry and in relation to the sanction that was imposed at the original hearing will stand. A decision regarding the costs of the appeal will be made in due course." King was suspended last November, and will be banned until 2028 Article continues below Back in November, WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson conveyed a sense of duty that accompanies the sport's growth, saying in a statement: "The global expansion of this sport brings with it great responsibility, both for our players and for the WPBSA as the sport's world governing body. I have known Mark King since he was very young, he is a very experienced player who has enjoyed great success, and I am deeply saddened to read the finding in this case. "However, the integrity of this sport will always be our No. 1 priority. This case is testament to the fact that no stone will ever be left unturned in ensuring that the hundreds of millions of snooker fans worldwide, and our many global partners, can have full confidence in this incredible sport." King is now set to serve a suspension that spans from March 18, 2023, to March 17, 2028.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Mark Selby says fan credited him with 'saving her life' on eve of Crucible
Mark Selby has been open about his battles with his mental health, with the four-time world champion now revealing that his openness had been helping others with their struggles Snooker star Mark Selby has revealed an anguished fan credited him with 'saving' her life by disclosing his own battles with mental health. The 41-year-old has won four World Championships and nine Triple Crowns since turning pro in 1999. He won the British and Welsh Open last season but was dumped out of the World Championship in the first round. The wins in Cheltenham and Llandudno ensured it was Selby's most successful season for some time. The Englishman has now opened up on his battles with mental health. He revealed that he hit a low ebb last year as his wife Vikki underwent treatment for brest cancer. That came around the same time as a close family friend died after being diagnosed with cancer. While Selby has tended to keep his personal struggles private, he did issue an emotional statement three years ago, which he credits with helping him through his struggles. And his decision to go public also help to stop a fan from taking their own life. Selby has revealed that the day before this year's World Championship began, he was stopped outside the Crucible where the woman credited him with saving her life. 'I was doing a few autographs and pictures. And this girl came up to me, bless her. She only must have been in her mid-20s. She said: 'Mark, can I just say something to you?' Of course, I said," he told The Sun. "She replied: 'I just want to say, I tried to take my own life a little while ago and hearing you speak out made me realise there's more to life – and you can get on.' So, that was quite emotional and touching, knowing that you have helped someone – because you never know what's going on behind closed doors. 'If you can help one person, that girl for example, that obviously makes it worthwhile, me speaking out. It basically saved her life. There's a lot more people going through it than what you think. And I was one of them." Unfortunately for Selby, he suffered a shock 10-8 defeat to Ben Woolaston in the first round of the World Championship. He admitted afterwards that he had not performed at the level required. "I didn't deserve to win. Ben played some great stuff, his safety was unbelievable at times but I still had my chances. It was pathetic really from me, to play like that is disappointing," Selby said. "It's the same old story, I try too hard and stop myself from playing. I love Ben to bits, I've known him for years. I grew up with him and have seen him progressing. It was tough from start to finish, I didn't play anywhere near where I can play and didn't deserve to win. "I played poorly from start to finish. I felt like I threw so many frames away, I kept getting 30 in front and running out of position or missing a silly shot, and then Ben would come back and win the frame. "I probably threw five or six frames away and it's disappointing because I came here with a bit of confidence and I didn't expect to play like that."
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside the life of the 'David Beckham of snooker' who tragically died aged 27 after being diagnosed with rare form of cancer
The Snooker World Championship is primed for another cracking final across the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend. It has been a tournament full of shocks and surprises with both of last year's finalists in Kyren Wilson and Jak Jones being eliminated in the first round. This year's event at the iconic Crucible Theatre has also been notable for the return of Ronnie O'Sullivan, who is playing in his first tournament since January. Ahead of this year's final, it seems as appropriate a time as any to remember one of snooker's most promising talents who died aged 27 after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. He earnt the nickname of the 'Beckham of the Baize' thanks to his hairstyle in the early 2000s - as he sported cornrows at the time which bore a striking resemblance to the former England captain. This is the story of a prodigious talent who reached as high as number four in the world and garnered huge popularity among female fans of the sport along the way. Paul Hunter took up the game by playing alongside his father, Alan, at clubs across Yorkshire including in his home city of Leeds. After excelling at amateur level, he would go on to make his professional debut in the sport at the age of just 16 while being mentored by fellow Yorkshireman Joe Johnson and Jimmy Michie. He would take to the professional game just as smoothly, becoming the youngest player to reach the semi-finals of a ranking event when did so aged 17 at the 1996 Welsh Open. A first bump in the road would arrive a year later - when he performed admirably to reach the last 16 stage of the Grand Prix (now known as the World Open) - only to be retrospectively disqualified for testing positive for cannabis. That saw him fined a total of £4,550 and docked the entirety of the ranking points he had earned at the event. But the 'Beckham of the Baize' was not to be downcast as he roared back in impressive fashion to be crowned the Snooker Writers Association's Young Player of the Year in 1998. By virtue of being ranked in the top 16 players in the world following the culmination of the 2000-01 season, Hunter qualified for the 2001 Masters. While he did reach the final, Hunter was in a spot of bother up against Fergal O'Brien as he trailed 6-2 at the mid-session interval. However, he would go on to win the match 10-9 and credited having sex with his fiancée during the break in play as a reason for his improved performance. He became only the third man to retain the Masters title - after Cliff Thorburn and Stephen Hendry - after beating Mark Williams. A third Masters title in four years would come in 2004 would come with a victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan in a contest that has subsequently been regarded as one of the greatest snooker matches of all time. Sadly, in April 2005, he was diagnosed with malignant endocrine tumours in his stomach which resulted in him receiving chemotherapy. Tragically, he died from the illness at the age of just 27 on October 9 2006. His funeral was attended by a host of professionals at the time - including the likes of Matthew Stevens, Hunter's closest friend on tour, who was one of the pallbearers at the service. Former world champions Hendry and Steve Davis were also in attendance to pay their respects to Hunter. The Furth German Open - a non-ranking tournament - was renamed the Paul hunter Classic in his honour with the event running until 2019. The Masters trophy was also renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy in 2016, following calls for that to be the case from the likes of Hendry and Ken Doherty. Hunter is survived by his wife Lindsay and the pair's daughter, Evie Rose, who was born in 2005. In 2007, Lindsey published a memoir entitled Unbreakable: My Life With Paul – A Story Of Extraordinary Courage And Love.
