World Snooker Championship Contenders: Higgins, Trump, and O’Sullivan in the Running
The 2025 World Snooker Championship is underway in Sheffield, and several top players are vying for the title. According to Sky Sports, the main contenders for the championship include John Higgins, Judd Trump, and Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Judd Trump, the world No 1, is considered one of the favourites to win the title. Trump has won 30 ranking titles overall, including two this season at the Saudi Arabia Masters and UK Championship. However, he has only won the World Championship once, back in 2019. As Sky Sports notes, “For Trump to have only won the World Championship once – back in 2019 – feels like an underachievement for a player with 30 ranking titles overall, including two this campaign.”
Mark Selby, the four-time world champion, is another strong contender. Selby has won 24 ranking titles and has been consistent this season, winning two ranking events, including the British Open and Welsh Open. According to Sky Sports, “Selby is perhaps only rivalled by John Higgins when it comes to finding ways to win.”
John Higgins, the four-time world champion, is also in the running. Higgins has won 33 ranking titles and has had a resurgent season, winning two ranking events since the turn of the year, including the World Open and Tour Championship. As Sky Sports reports, “This time last year Higgins’ place in the world’s top 16 was in jeopardy before a run to the Word Championship quarter-finals kept him in the elite.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, is also a contender. O’Sullivan has won seven World Championship titles and 41 ranking titles. Although he has not played on the World Snooker Tour since January, citing medical reasons and a lack of confidence, Sky Sports notes that “every time you think the Rocket is winding down his career, he tends to come back and achieve something special.”
Shaun Murphy, the 2005 World Champion, is another player to watch. Murphy won the Masters title in January, beating reigning world champion Kyren Wilson 10-7. According to Sky Sports, “Murphy often saves his best for the World Championship, with three runners-up finishes since winning at the Crucible 20 years ago.”
The top 16 seeds at the World Snooker Championship include:
1. Kyren Wilson (eliminated)
2. Judd Trump
3. John Higgins
4. Mark Selby
5. Ronnie O’Sullivan
6. Mark Williams
7. Luca Brecel
8. Mark Allen
9. Neil Robertson
10. Ding Junhui
11. Barry Hawkins
12. Zhang Anda
13. Si Jiahui
14. Xiao Guodong
15. Shaun Murphy
16. Jak Jones (eliminated)
As the championship progresses, it will be interesting to see which players emerge as the top contenders. Will it be one of the favourites, or will a dark horse emerge to challenge for the title? Only time will tell.
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