"Take this, you might need it." When 49-year-old snooker legend Mark Williams stepped off the plane, the sight of the organizers handing him a portable oxygen device was touching. The 2025 Snooker Lhasa Exhibition Match is not only a contest of ball skills but also a battle against the natural environment.
Lhasa, a city with an average altitude of 3650 meters, welcomed its first world-class snooker event. For players accustomed to playing at sea level, this is undoubtedly an unprecedented challenge. "I never thought I would play at such a height," Mark Williams joked in a pre-match interview, "it reminds me of my first mountain climbing experience."
However, "Uncle Ma" proved with his strength that age and altitude are not factors hindering his performance. In the first match on the evening of January 5th, he defeated Wujinduoji with a clean 5-0 victory. Although he had to rely on oxygen equipment during breaks, the veteran's professionalism and adaptability won the applause of all the spectators present.
"Seeing Mark in such condition has inspired us all," commented one of the participating players. Indeed, when you see a player nearly half a century old still maintaining a high level of performance in such extreme conditions, it can't help but be admired.
The upcoming schedule is even more thrilling. At 3 pm today, Chinese player Xiao Guodong will face the world's number one Trump; at 7:30 pm, there will be a highly anticipated match between Mark Williams and Ding Junhui. Tomorrow afternoon's "Ding-Tehui" will push this highland exhibition match to a climax.
"The plateau reaction does exist, but this is where the charm of the game lies," the organizer's words reveal the truth. On this magical land of Lhasa, players not only have to deal with their opponents' attacks but also overcome the numerous challenges brought by the high-altitude environment. This adds unique watchability and challenge to the competition.
It is worth mentioning that the organizer made full preparations during the event preparation process. In addition to providing each player with a portable oxygen device, they also specially arranged for a medical team to be on standby 24 hours a day. These details ensure that the players can better adapt to the high-altitude environment and focus on the game itself.
This snooker exhibition match held on the "Roof of the World" is not only an innovative attempt in sports competition but also another testament to human beings challenging their limits. As Mark Williams said, "Playing here, every shot is a surpassing of oneself."