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Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan is an English professional snooker player, widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest players.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ronnie O'Sullivan is an English professional snooker player, widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest players. He has won the World Snooker Championship seven times, shares the modern-era record for the title, and holds multiple all-time records in professional snooker.

Early life and career

Ronald Antonio O'Sullivan was born on 5 December 1975 in Wordsley, England. He turned professional in 1992 and quickly established himself as a prodigious talent in snooker.

Major achievements

O'Sullivan has won seven World Snooker Championship titles and a record 23 Triple Crown titles overall. His honours also include a record eight Masters titles and eight UK Championship titles.

Records and style of play

He is known for rapid, attacking snooker, which earned him the nickname 'The Rocket'. He also holds the record for most ranking titles and has been world number one five times.

Legacy

O'Sullivan is widely described as one of the most gifted players in snooker history. His long career has made him one of the sport’s most recognisable and successful figures.

Key facts

  • Ronnie O'Sullivan is an English professional snooker player.
  • He has won the World Snooker Championship seven times, a modern-era record he shares with Stephen Hendry.
  • He has won a record eight Masters titles and a record eight UK Championship titles.
  • He holds the record for the most ranking titles, with 41.
  • He has been ranked world number one on five occasions.
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Canadian context

Ronnie O'Sullivan is of interest to Canadian snooker fans and to audiences following international cue sports, especially because his records and performances are part of the global history of professional snooker.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ronnie O'Sullivan?
Ronnie O'Sullivan is an English professional snooker player known for his speed, skill, and record-breaking success.
What is Ronnie O'Sullivan's nickname?
His best-known nickname is 'The Rocket'.
How many world titles has he won?
He has won the World Snooker Championship seven times.
What records does he hold?
He holds the record for most ranking titles, with 41, and the joint modern-era record for World Championship titles.
When did he turn professional?
He turned professional in 1992.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_O'Sullivan
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, World Championship titles, ranking titles, Triple Crown titles, and world number one status
  2. History — https://www.history.co.uk/biographies/ronnie-osullivan
    Supports: Birthplace, professional career overview, first UK Championship, first World Championship, and records mentioned in biography
  3. snooker.org — https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=5
    Supports: Professional status, first season as a pro, ranking wins, and overall player profile details