On December 24, 2024, the world rankings of snooker experienced significant changes, especially the achievements of Chinese snooker, which can be described as earth-shattering.
Four Chinese players—Ding Junhui, Zhang Anda, Si Jiahui, and Xiao Guodong—have successfully entered the top 16 in the world rankings, achieving a historic breakthrough!
You didn't hear wrong!
Chinese snooker has ushered in an unprecedented rise, with four players simultaneously entering this magical top 16 circle, shining brightly and delighting countless fans.
Looking at these achievements, it's almost enough to make a motivational movie.
While everyone is still marveling at how strong Chinese table tennis is and how basketball is rising, our snooker players are quietly making their presence felt on the international stage.
Historically, it's a groundbreaking big news that so many Chinese snooker players have broken into the top 16!
This time, it's not just Ding Junhui carrying the flag behind him, but also three rising stars—Zhang Anda, Si Jiahui, and Xiao Guodong—who are quietly becoming the backbone of Chinese snooker.
To say that all this is related to the rapid rise of Chinese snooker would not be an exaggeration.
The performance of these four players is really touching.
As the spokesperson for Chinese snooker, Ding Junhui naturally needs no further introduction.
In his early years, he not only broke China's silence in world snooker with his own strength but also once topped the world, achieving remarkable success.
In recent years, although there have been ups and downs in competitions, he is still a banner figure in Chinese snooker.
Now, he can stand firmly at No. 8 in the world ranking, which really makes people happy for him—after all, we all know that this guy is not an ordinary person, and every fall and recovery is like having an indomitable force.
Speaking of Zhang Anda, this young player is a typical example of making a fortune quietly.
People may still think of him as an unknown player, but now he has successfully advanced into the top ten, and his strength cannot be underestimated.
It can be said that Zhang Anda's rise has given Chinese snooker more confidence and hope, and it has also made many fans begin to re-evaluate this low-key young man.
Looking at Si Jiahui again, his performance is also not to be overlooked.
Everyone knows that Si Jiahui was once considered to have potential but difficult to break through, but the performances in recent years tell us that this silent force is quietly rising.
His position in the world rankings is becoming more and more stable, and it can be seen that he is becoming more and more mature on the court, and even starting to have the posture to compete with top players.
Let's talk about Xiao Guodong.
Most fans may not be as familiar with him as Ding Junhui or Zhang Anda, but don't underestimate him.
The name Xiao Guodong is also quietly becoming known to more snooker enthusiasts.
By accumulating points and experience, he has fought all the way to No. 15 in the world ranking.
Xiao Guodong's steady progress makes people think of low-key success.
To say the future, his room for growth is not small.
The historic breakthrough of the four Chinese players not only made Chinese fans cheer but also added more expectations for future snooker events.
If these players maintain their form, we may see Chinese players directly enter the Crucible stage in the 2024 World Championship—this is a grand occasion that happens once in a century!
Think about it, if four Chinese players can appear in the World Championship, how spectacular the scene will be!
At that time, our Chinese snooker could become a kingdom of kings!
We can't just focus on the rise of these Chinese players to cheer them on.
Equally noteworthy is the significant drop in ranking of the once-renowned British player Shaun Murphy (the Magician).
This time, he has really become the most disappointed player. Back then, Murphy was considered one of the world's top players.
However, with the points from the runner-up of the 2022-23 season's Welsh Open, the champion of the Players Championship, and the champion of the Tour Championship being deducted, his world ranking dropped directly to 19th place.
Look, this magician who didn't know each other was caught off guard by these numbers and points.
Many fans expressed regret over Murphy's decline in form, and some even said that if Murphy doesn't adjust, he might really fall out of sight from the world's top players.
In the first round of this season's UK Championship, his match against Zhao Xintong almost made people hold their breath, especially Zhao Xintong's mistake, which gave Murphy a lucky win.
If Zhao Xintong hadn't had that slump, Murphy might have gone home early.
Although this is snooker, and any game is full of variables, to be honest, Murphy's competitive state is indeed worse than before.
To say, if Murphy doesn't quickly find his rhythm, it will be difficult for him to return to the peak.
Looking back, this time's world ranking also reflects the alternation of old and new in snooker.
Once invincible Three Musketeers Five Tigers—like O'Sullivan, the Wizard, Selby, these veterans still have their strengths, but with age, they have begun to feel the constraints of fate.
Just like the current new generation of hegemon—Trump, relying on youth and strength, he has steadily occupied the top spot in the world ranking, with 1,731,200 points.
And Brother Trump, although also challenging Little Trump's status, to be honest, currently, the only one who can pose a threat to Little Trump is him.
The performance of the other veterans generally shows some slowness.
Just like the Wizard Selby and others, they have gradually fallen into a trough, and if they want to return to the peak, they may need more luck and effort.
Some netizens commented: It's really the alternation of old and new in snooker. Little Trump broke O'Sullivan's dominance, not just in terms of strength, but also the push of time.
Everyone knows that snooker, this sport, emphasizes precision and experience. Although geniuses like O'Sullivan are rare, Little Trump's rise and stability are indeed impressive.
Some netizens also said: If Ding Junhui can regain his competitive desire, he is completely capable of aiming for the Grand Slam and becoming the new hegemon of snooker.
This expectation also makes many fans hopeful for Ding Junhui's future, after all, he used to be the weathervane of Chinese snooker.
Speaking of Ding Junhui, everyone knows that his competitive state has always fluctuated, which makes fans love and hate him.
If he can regain that burning competitive passion, he might create a new legend!
Who can predict the future?
I hope Ding Junhui can explode again in the upcoming competitions and bring us more surprises.
The year-end rankings of snooker in 2024 are simply full of drama.
The rise of Chinese snooker undoubtedly makes fans boil with excitement, while Murphy's fall is regrettable, but this is also where the charm and suspense of snooker lie.
In the future, we will see more young players emerge, and perhaps the next hegemon really comes from China!