Snooker’s legendary “Class of ’92” – Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams – continue to amaze as they reach the last 16 of the 2025 World Snooker Championship, more than three decades after turning professional.
Despite the passage of time, all three former world champions are once again at the forefront of the sport’s biggest stage in Sheffield, each producing brilliant form in their latest title bids. Between them, they’ve claimed 14 Crucible titles since Higgins won his first back in 1998, and they remain serious contenders for the 49th edition of the tournament.
Their simultaneous progress to the second round echoes their shared achievement in 1997, when all three also reached the last 16 at the Crucible for the first time. It’s a testament to their enduring talent and dedication in a sport that’s more competitive than ever.
In the opening round, O’Sullivan delivered a commanding 10-4 victory over long-time rival Ali Carter, marking a record-extending 33rd consecutive appearance at the Crucible. Higgins overcame Joe O’Connor 10-7, while Williams staged a comeback to edge Wu Yize 10-8, having trailed 8-7.
Collectively, the trio racked up seven century breaks in the first round alone. Notably, their opponents highlight the generational gap—Joe O’Connor was born in 1995, after O’Sullivan and Higgins had made their debuts, and Wu Yize was born in 2003, after Williams had already secured two world titles.
O’Sullivan’s history at the Crucible is well-documented. His iconic 147 break in 1997 still stands as the fastest in history—completed in just five minutes and eight seconds. This year, he also set a new record for the longest span between match wins at the Crucible: 31 years, from his 1994 victory over Dennis Taylor to his 2025 triumph over Carter.
Williams, now 50, also carved his name into the record books as the oldest player to win a match at the Crucible since Steve Davis (aged 52) in 2010. Like O’Sullivan, he also faced a former world champion in his Crucible debut, narrowly defeating 1979 winner Terry Griffiths 10-9 in 1997.
Higgins, meanwhile, looks ahead to a second-round tie against Xiao Guodong, which begins Thursday. Williams takes on Hossein Vafaei on Friday, while O’Sullivan resumes his campaign against Pang Junxu from Saturday to Monday.
As this remarkable trio continues to defy the years, the dream of yet another world title is still very much alive – and snooker fans around the world are watching closely.
