On May 10, 2024, the World Taiwan Federation announced the results of this season's awards, among which Chinese player Zhang Anda won the breakthrough player of the year award, and He Guoqiang was named the best newcomer of the year. This is not only an affirmation of their outstanding performance on the field, but also marks a major breakthrough in Chinese snooker. However, despite Ding Junhui's performance this season, winning two runners-up, it is a pity that he was not selected for any awards, showing the fierce competition of the selection.
On the international stage, British player Ronnie O'Sullivan once again proved his unshakable supremacy, winning the Best Player Award as voted by the World Taiwan Federation, fans and the media with five championships and one runner-up. He has reached six consecutive finals this season, including victories in the British Championship and the Masters. Despite losing to Bingham in the World Championships, O'Sullivan's overall performance is still the highlight of the season, once again proving his unique position and influence in the snooker world.
The winner of the Performance of the Year award was Kyren Wilson, who made a splash at this season's World Championships. Not only was it an important turning point in his career, but it was also his first honor in three major tournaments, breaking a gap in his career. Wilson's breakthrough not only showed his potential and tenacity, but also inspired many young players to pursue their snooker dreams.
In the Magic Moment of the Year award, Shaun Murphy won the honor for scoring a stunning 147 points in a single-game limited-time match. This feat not only proved Murphy's superb skills and calmness in the game, but also added a lot of luster to the snooker arena, once again sparking people's discussion and appreciation for the extreme of snooker.
Despite Luca Brecel's mediocre performance after winning the World Championships, his overall achievements and contributions to the sport of snooker were widely recognized, and he was eventually inducted into the Snooker Hall of Fame. This is not only an affirmation of his career, but also a recognition of the skills and style he has shown in the snooker arena. Brecel's achievement reminds us that snooker is not just a short-term victory, but also a long-term career and continuous performance.
This season's snooker world has witnessed the fierce collision between new forces and established masters. The rise of Zhang Anda and He Guoqiang, two rising Chinese stars, not only reflects the profound potential of Chinese snooker, but also reflects the success of global snooker in cultivating new talents. Their success is an affirmation of traditional training methods and the contemporary snooker education system, and it also inspires more young players to dare to break through and challenge the peak.
And the experienced Ronnie O'Sullivan once again proved that snooker is a sport that requires wisdom and patience. His victory is not just based on technique, but more on strategy and mental conditioning in the game. This "veteran demeanor" gives young players a valuable opportunity to learn and understand that reaching the top does not happen overnight, but requires a long period of accumulation and constant testing.
This year's awards are not only the result of the end of a competition, but also a reflection of the internationalization and diversification of snooker. From China's Zhang Anda and He Guoqiang, to Britain's Ronnie O'Sullivan, to Wales' Kyren Wilson, behind these names are the interweaving and interaction of different cultures and backgrounds. The charm of snooker as a global sport lies in its ability to cross borders and attract top players from all over the world.
In this season's awards, it is not only a competition of technology and achievement, but also a competition of style and strategy. Each of the selected players represents a force in the sport of snooker, from seasoned veterans to energetic newcomers who together drive the sport forward. This diversity not only enriches the spectacle of the game, but also enhances the level of competition in the sport itself.
The 2024 World Taiwan Federation awards selection is not only a summary of the past year's snooker events, but also a foreshadowing of the future development direction of snooker. As players from more countries and regions emerge, we can expect a more international, diverse and competitive world of snooker. Whether it is the persistence of veterans or the impact of newcomers, snooker will continue to write their own legends on this green battlefield.