In a move that has sent ripples through the cue sports world, snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has hinted that he might retire from snooker completely to dedicate himself to Chinese 8-ball.
O'Sullivan, who has long dominated the snooker circuit, recently shared his growing fascination with the sport during an interview with CGTN. His interest follows his participation in the Huacai Billiards World Open, held in Deqing, located in the Zhejiang province of the Chinese mainland.
Also known as "heyball," Chinese 8-ball is a dynamic version of pool designed for speed and spectator engagement. While it shares some characteristics with snooker, it is played on a smaller table (2.74m compared to snooker's 3.66m) and uses larger US-style spots-and-stripes balls (57mm versus snooker's 52.5mm). The primary objective of each frame is to pot the 8-ball.
During the event in the Chinese mainland, O'Sullivan captivated the crowd not only with his skill but also with his characteristic wit, commentating his way through an exhibition match. He demonstrated his versatility by defeating Ivan Kakovskiy 15-9 and Suung Kim 15-12, before eventually falling to Zheng Xiaohuai at the last-32 stage.
While O'Sullivan's quest for a historic eighth snooker world championship may not have materialized this year, his venture into Chinese 8-ball marks a bold new chapter. Whether this transition becomes permanent or remains a passionate diversion, his influence continues to bridge the gap between traditional cue sports and new, fast-paced variations emerging from Asia.
Reference(s):
Ronnie O'Sullivan: I may give up snooker completely for Chinese 8-ball
cgtn.com
