Category Sports News

Halo World Championship

Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre Dates: April 19 to May 5

Can Kyren Wilson sever the “crucible curse”? Will Judd Trump win the elusive second world title?

What about John Higgins and Mark Selby as they attempt to win their fifth World Championship?

Ronnie O’Sullivan, who hasn’t played competitively since January, will obviously struggle to achieve his record eighth title in the modern era.

Since 1977’s relocation to the Crucible Theatre, no first-time winner has been able to keep the title.

Lei Peifan, the winner of the Scottish Open, will be Wilson’s first opponent on Saturday morning.

The 33-year-old Wilson has relished carrying the title of the reigning world champion, winning four ranking competitions this year and making the Masters and Championship League final.

A new era for the sport is being beckoned by a growing rivalry with Trump, who he has faced three times in this term’s finals. At the same time as the well-known trio of O’Sullivan, Higgins, and Mark Williams are in their 50s or are about to enter.

Trump, the world’s number one, has won three tournaments this campaign, including the Saudi Arabia Masters and the UK Championship, two of the sport’s four majors.

His earnings have increased to levels never before seen by a player in a single season, and the £500, 000 top prize would bring him close to the £2 million mark.

The 35-year-old has previously played it down, but he would adore receiving the World Championship trophy for the second time in his career to formally establish himself as one of the game’s greats.

Trump has the ability to essentially sweep his closest competitors away if he produces the scintillating, fast-paced snooker he is renowned for.

O’Sullivan was surprisingly chosen as one of the bookmakers’ favorites to win the Crucible before even making his decision to participate.

The Rocket, who withdrew from his Championship League group because he was so irritated with his game, decided to withdraw from all five of his matches before going on the World Snooker Tour.

Even if Wilson and Mark Selby are on the same side of the draw, O’Sullivan would be foolish to discount him even though he hasn’t played in anything more than a best-of-seven since his first-round defeat by Barry Hawkins at the UK Championship in November.

Since becoming a professional in 1992, the Englishman has been a constant fixture at the tournament.

O’Sullivan, who is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, famously won the trophy in 2013 after only one competitive match prior to the showpiece event.

The 49-year-old is more than capable of delivering a historic triumph, according to recent footage that shows him putting together a maximum 147 break in less than seven minutes of practice. He is also the author of seven titles.

Scotland’s Higgins is yet another player from the sport’s renowned “Class of 92” who deserves to be missed. He is up in the leader’s circle and is currently third in the world rankings.

Since winning his first ranking position at the World Open in March, the four-time champion has appeared revitalized.

Higgins returns after claiming a second championship victory over Selby in a top-notch final.

Higgins, who turns 50 in May, has the temperament and talent to win his first world title since claiming a fourth one in 2011 and has a proven record in the long format of the game.

Williams’ victory at the November Champion of Champions appears to have faded away, in contrast.

The “Welsh potting machine” has had eye issues in recent months and gave a mediocre assessment of his chances after falling 10-3 to Ding Junhui in Manchester and following last month’s Players Championship.

The 50-year-old said, “Whoever qualifies is going to be praying they draw me in the first round.”

Ben Woollaston, a friend and practice partner of Selby’s, and Ben Woollaston, a friend, are the two-time champions in the first round, making him a strong favorite to advance.

One of the game’s greatest players was significantly resurrected by victories at the British Open and Welsh Open.

Selby enters the tournament in a way that suggests he could win another four world titles, including victories over Ding Junhui and Neil Robertson earlier this month.

Shaun Murphy, the Masters winner from 2005, will relish his chance, having already won one Triple Crown this year.

Ding Junhui’s chances of winning the Crucible’s four straight first-round defeat are undoubtedly uncertain.

China’s hopes of a first world champion are unreal, but the 38-year-old is far from resting on his shoulders.

Zhang Anda, Xiao Guodong, Si Jiahui, Zhao Xintong, Zhou Yuelong, Fan Zhengyi, Pang Junxu, Lei Peifan, and Wu Yize are just three of the top 10 Chinese players in the tournament who have advanced to the top 10.

A first-round matchup with Zhao, the 2021 UK champion, and Wilson, the beaten finalist from 2024, will hardly appeal to Jak Jones, who has a chance to face off in the second round.

On Easter Saturday, Wales’ four professional teams square off against one another in the Principality Stadium, marking the occasion of its self-declared Judgement Day.

The Welsh double-header will take place in its 10th year, and it will be its ninth since it first started hosting it, with a four-year suspension as a result of Covid.

Another turbulent time has occurred off the field this year, with Cardiff being forced into temporary administration before being replaced by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

With the two United Rugby Championship (URC) derbies at Welsh rugby’s home, Welsh rugby should continue to struggle with off-field events, but this should be the highlight of the national calendar.

After a disastrous season that has only yielded one league victory thus far, Dragons, Scarlets, Cardiff, and Ospreys are alldestined to finish bottom.

There are only nine points in the most recent round of fixtures, which means that those ten teams are all vying for quarter-final spots.

Scarlets and Ospreys are 11th and 12th, respectively, three points behind, while Cardiff is ninth with 36 points.

The quartet will travel to South Africa at the same time in May for a two-game mini-tour as the regions has four regular season games left.

Abi Tierney, the governing body’s executive director, pointed out that the organization’s ticket sales weren’t as successful as the organization’s expectations, which highlights the current discord with Welsh rugby.

Many people believe the event would be more effective at the start of the season, despite the controversy surrounding its timing.

The Principality Stadium had a crowd-record of 68, 262 in 2016, while the Principality Stadium had a crowd-record of 304, 441 in 2014.

Following its previous appearance at Cardiff City Stadium last year, which had the lowest attendance of 20, 167, it has been moved back to the Welsh rugby stadium where it was most popular this year.

Believe it or not, the Welsh Shield could be raised on Saturday if the winning team wins.

The four professional Welsh teams are a part of a mini-table that is based solely on points won in regular league derby games.

With Ospreys and Dragons out of contention last season, each team has six games to play against other Welsh teams, with only Cardiff and Scarlets having a chance to win the silverware.

In the event of a victory over Ospreys, Cardiff are currently three points clear of Scarlets.

Rugby is played in Wales, right in the heart of the city, and you get four regional teams with the best Welsh players all under one roof.

I’ve never seen anything like that when there are three competing for the top eight.

“Adding that extra spice to the table is to have ourselves, Ospreys, and Scarlets all in the middle with something to play for.”

Liam Belcher, the captain of Cardiff, said, “We always have a bit of an edge in any derby, regardless of whether there is a winning goal.” Every point counts with four games left. A win puts us in great position going forward.

“It was my best judgment day two years ago,” I said. It was incredible to send off many of the boys who were leaving. It was amazing to wrap up the season on that high.

“Our boys are excited to play on a pretty well-known pitch with a lot of money on the line.” Given how many games remain, I believe it must be a must-win for us.

Dewi Lake, the Ospreys hooker, said, “Whenever you get the chance to play here, in front of the crowd, run out onto the turf.”

Whether you’re a boy or a girl, you have a lot of opportunities to play in this stadium, regardless of whether you’re a young Welsh child.

We’ve given ourselves a chance to advance toward the end of the season.

“We need to stay in the hunt for the top eight because there are points at stake.”

When there are points available, you must be prepared to pounce because the league is so competitive.

Blair Murray, the Scarlets full-back, said, “I’ve heard it’s a big day for Welsh rugby. The Dragons retaliated against us the last few times.

These games offer a chance for players to impress, especially those who want to represent their nation.

Aneurin Owen, Dragons center, described the occasion as “a great opportunity and a great opportunity to play in front of a great crowd.”

It’s exciting for many of the young squad because we have a relatively young squad and many of them wouldn’t have participated in a Judgement Day.

Cardiff vs. Ospreys

Kick off: 15: 00 BST

Live text commentary, a report and a response on the BBC Sport website and app, BBC One Wales, Listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app, as well as live coverage of Scrum V Live.

Scarlets vs. Dragons

Kick off: 17: 30 BST

Second-round leaderboard for RBC Heritage

-12 J Thomas (US), -10 K Si-woo (Kor), R Henley (US), -9 T Fleetwood (Eng), A Novak (US), -8 S Scheffler (US)

Other notables: -6 M Fitzpatrick (Eng), -5 X Schauffele (US), -4 A Rai (Eng), S Lowry (Ire), -3 J Rose (Sco), and -3 X McIntyre (Sco).

After the second round of the RBC Heritage, Justin Thomas of America leads Kim Si-woo by two shots.

In his opening round of play at the Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina, Thomas shot a course-record 61 under par.

The 31-year-old finished a few strokes ahead of Kim from South Korea with a two-under round of 69 that featured four birdies and two bogeys.

At 10 under, Kim shot a seven-under 64 in the final round to share second place with Russell Henley (68).

Thomas is aiming for his first victory at the US PGA Championship in 2022 after claiming his second major.

Tommy Fleetwood, who is currently defending champion Scottie Scheffler, shot 70, while Andrew Novak, who is 66, kept himself in contention with 66, and is a further shot back with eight under.

Second-round leaderboard for RBC Heritage

-12 J Thomas (US), -10 K Si-woo (Kor), R Henley (US), -9 T Fleetwood (Eng), A Novak (US), -8 S Scheffler (US)

Other notables: -6 M Fitzpatrick (Eng), -5 X Schauffele (US), -4 A Rai (Eng), S Lowry (Ire), -3 J Rose (Sco), and -3 X McIntyre (Sco).

After the second round of the RBC Heritage, Justin Thomas of America leads Kim Si-woo by two shots.

In his opening round of play at the Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina, Thomas shot a course-record 61 under par.

The 31-year-old finished a few strokes ahead of Kim from South Korea with a two-under round of 69 that featured four birdies and two bogeys.

At 10 under, Kim shot a seven-under 64 in the final round to share second place with Russell Henley (68).

Thomas is aiming for his first victory at the US PGA Championship in 2022 after claiming his second major.

Tommy Fleetwood, who is currently defending champion Scottie Scheffler, shot 70, while Andrew Novak, who is 66, kept himself in contention with 66, and is a further shot back with eight under.

Second-round leaderboard for RBC Heritage

-12 J Thomas (US), -10 K Si-woo (Kor), R Henley (US), -9 T Fleetwood (Eng), A Novak (US), -8 S Scheffler (US)

Other notables: -6 M Fitzpatrick (Eng), -5 X Schauffele (US), -4 A Rai (Eng), S Lowry (Ire), -3 J Rose (Sco), and -3 X McIntyre (Sco).

After the second round of the RBC Heritage, Justin Thomas of America leads Kim Si-woo by two shots.

In his opening round of play at the Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina, Thomas shot a course-record 61 under par.

The 31-year-old finished a few strokes ahead of Kim from South Korea with a two-under round of 69 that featured four birdies and two bogeys.

At 10 under, Kim shot a seven-under 64 in the final round to share second place with Russell Henley (68).

Thomas is aiming for his first victory at the US PGA Championship in 2022 after claiming his second major.

Tommy Fleetwood, who is currently defending champion Scottie Scheffler, shot 70, while Andrew Novak, who is 66, kept himself in contention with 66, and is a further shot back with eight under.