Venue: Barbican Centre, York Dates: Saturday, 25 November – Sunday, 3 DecemberBBC coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer, as well as the BBC Sport website and mobile app
Ronnie O’Sullivan became the oldest-ever UK champion with a 10-7 victory over Ding Junhui as he claimed a record-extending eighth title in York.
O’Sullivan’s triumph has come two days before he turns 48 and three decades on from being the youngest player to win the UK Championship, aged 17.
The match was delicately poised at 4-4 heading into Sunday’s final session.
But O’Sullivan pulled clear with four half centuries and two centuries to secure the £250,000 top prize.
O’Sullivan’s remarkable longevity at the top of the game means he eclipses Doug Mountjoy’s long-standing mark from 1988, when he won his only UK title, aged 46, against Stephen Hendry.
“Each tournament I win and play in, I take great pleasure from,” O’Sullivan told BBC Sport.
“I had to come out and have a good head. There was a big crowd and I wanted to leave blood, sweat and tears on the table. I came out and gave it my all and I love competing.
“I always keep beating myself up because of the age thing. I keep thinking at some point you have to stop winning but I am doing all right and I will keep on going until the wheels fall off.”
O’Sullivan’s latest landmark moment continues his remarkable success in snooker’s prestigious Triple Crown events, with his tally of trophies across the Masters, UK and World Championship’s now at 22, four clear of Scotland’s Hendry.
The seven-time world champion, who holds almost every other major record in the game, has been selective about his appearances on the world tour this term, having won the non-ranking Shanghai Masters event in September.
However, his performances against Hossein Vafaei, Zhou Yuelong, Robert Milkins and Anthony McGill earlier in the tournament underlined his ability to deliver on the big occasion.
In Sunday’s finale against Ding, he went from strength to strength to add a 40th ranking title to his collection.
More to follow.
2023-12-03 22:15:46
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