On April 17, 2024, Beijing time, with the fierce competition in the 2024 Snooker World Championship Qualifying Tournament, the Chinese Snooker Army once again stood in the spotlight on the international stage. In this world-renowned event, China sent four players to participate in the battle, but only Lu Haotian broke through the encirclement and successfully advanced to the main event. This result not only shows the performance of the players in a high-pressure environment, but also reflects the strength and challenge of Chinese snooker in the international arena.
Lu Haotian was particularly good against Kendrick. At the beginning of the game, the two were evenly matched, and the first eight games were tied at 4-4. But then, Lu Haotian seemed to find the rhythm of the game, he not only stabilized his defense, but also showed a series of wonderful performances in attack, including a brilliant performance of 117 points, and finally won with a score of 10-7, becoming the only Chinese player to advance to the main draw. This is not only a personal victory, but also a proof of the strength of Chinese snooker.
Yuan Sijun faced the snooker master Maguire this time. At the beginning of the game, Yuan Sijun quickly entered the state, scoring 76 points and 61 points in a row, and took a 3-1 lead. However, Maguire did not give up easily, and with his rich experience and excellent technique, he scored high points in a row, gradually recovered the score, and finally won 10-6. Despite the defeat, Yuan Sijun's performance in this battle still showed the potential and determination of the young player.
The duel between Zhou Yuelong and Jack Jones is equally exciting. Zhou Yuelong once showed excellent attack power in the game, scoring multiple 50+ points in a row, and once overtook the score. But then his form fluctuated, and Jack Jones seized the opportunity to win multiple games in a row to eventually win the match by a score of 10-4. Although the match ended in defeat, it also reflected that Zhou Yuelong needs more consistency and experience in the face of pressure.
As a professional newcomer, He Guoqiang showed good fighting spirit and potential in the game against Dell. Although he was narrowly defeated 10-8 in the end, he saved match points several times in the game and showed his indomitable spirit. He Guoqiang's performance not only earned him the respect of the audience, but also showed the rising momentum of the new generation of Chinese snooker players.
Although only one member of the Chinese Legion advanced in this qualifying tournament, through the victory of Lu Haotian, the tenacious resistance of Yuan Sijun and Zhou Yuelong, and the potential display of He Guoqiang, we saw the competitiveness and hope of Chinese snooker on the international stage. The performance of these young players is not only a competition of skills, but also a tempering of psychological endurance. Every game, whether they win or lose, is a valuable experience for their growth and preparation for the greater challenges that may come in the future.
Although the result of this qualifying tournament may be a little disappointing for many Chinese snooker fans, it does not diminish the importance of this event for Chinese players. Every matchup against a world-class player is a valuable opportunity to learn and grow. For young players like Lu Haotian, Yuan Sijun, Zhou Yuelong and He Guoqiang, every international competition is a test of their ability and an important occasion to accumulate experience and improve their skills.
In the world of snooker, technology and psychology are just as important. Not only do the players need to show their skills at the table, but they also need to stay calm during the psychological warfare of the game. From Lu Haotian's reversal victory, we can see the success of a mature player in terms of psychological regulation. He didn't give up when the score was behind, but by adjusting his game strategy and mentality, he finally achieved a wonderful comeback. This ability is developed through constant exposure to high-intensity stressful situations.
Although there were twists and turns in the results of this qualifying tournament, it is precisely this kind of challenge that can truly test and hone a player's ability. The experience of Chinese snooker players in this qualifying tournament will be a valuable asset in their careers. Through continuous international competition training and psychological adjustment, they will continue to surpass themselves and win more applause on the international stage in the future.