On May 3, Beijing time, O'Sullivan defeated Trump 18-13 in the final of the Snooker World Championships and won the 7th World Championship trophy in his 30-year career. The 47-year-old Rocket continues to write his own snooker legend, creating a series of magical records that are difficult to come after. What's even more frightening is that O'Sullivan is still at his peak, like the sun in the sky. For years to come, O'Sullivan will continue to write history, making himself the snooker GOAT he deserves.
First, O'Sullivan will take on the feat of eight world championships, which is unique in history. Hendry, who is also a seven-crown winner, also admitted after the game that O'Sullivan will definitely do his best to fight for the 8th crown, just like he won the 7th crown after he tied Davis. Once beyond the mark, O'Sullivan will be the only strongest king in Crucible.
Second, O'Sullivan is expected to hit Ray Lilton's oldest world number one record if he can continue to be at the top of the list for about 3 years. At the age of 50 and 206 days, Lilton is still the world number one, and O'Sullivan is still 3 years away from breaking this record.
Third, O'Sullivan shot a 15-stroke 100 at the World Championships, second only to Hendry and Mark Williams' 16. In the last two stages of the final, O'Sullivan was unable to break the hundred, which was quite regrettable. But in the future, O'Sullivan is still expected to hit this record.
In addition, O'Sullivan already holds a number of first-ever records. For example, the oldest world championship champion, the first in the history of the three major championships, the first in the history of single shot breaking hundreds, the first in the history of single stroke 147, the first in the history of 39 crowns, and so on. In the next few years, every time O'Sullivan breaks the hundred, every shot of 147, every ranking champion, will be a new historical record.
More important than the various records is the impact of O'Sullivan's style of play on the younger generation. In the impression, O'Sullivan is famous for hitting the ball fast and unrestrained, and even nicknamed the rocket. But at this World Championship, everyone saw the other side of O'Sullivan – rigor and patience. Attack alone cannot become the king of the sport, and the name of the sport tells young people that they must attack and defend well. And O'Sullivan told everyone that the sport needs genius.