Snooker player who dazzled Ronnie O’Sullivan wants to go back on tour following a two-year ban
A snooker star who impressed Ronnie O’Sullivan is aiming to return to the tour.
After being disqualified from the World Snooker Tour in 2022, snooker pro Sunny Akani is putting forth a petition to rejoin the tour. When the Thai potter nearly shocked the Rocket in the UK Championship final 16, he dazzled Ronnie O’Sullivan seven years prior.
In the Asia and Oceania Q School, which got underway at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium on Wednesday, Akani is going for six victories.
At the qualifying event, four WST spots for the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 seasons are available.
At No. 84 in the world, Akani faced off against seven-time world champion O’Sullivan at York Barbican in 2017.
The 28-year-old seized a 2-0 lead and went on to lead 4-2. And when he went on to win the ninth frame to go up 5–4, he was only one frame from winning.
O’Sullivan, though, fought back and took the final two sets to seal a 6-5 triumph. “If I could pot long balls like you, I’d take them on as well,” he added after the match.
“I had sympathy for him. I believed I had cheated him out of the prize because he deserved it. He was unfortunate, but sometimes that’s how snooker works.
During the competition, Akani was in the best form of his life. In the previous round, he had defeated Barry Hawkins, the runner-up in the 2013 World Snooker Championship, 6-0.
And after suffering a close loss against O’Sullivan, the Thai player said, “It was an incredible match.” I attempted to play more aggressively. I’m glad because I had a great time doing it. He mentioned that I was extremely good and that I played a good standard. I potted the green and blue in the tenth frame, but that does happen occasionally.
After climbing to the 44th spot in the world in 2021, Akani disclosed that he had been diagnosed with depression following his Covid-19 infection. In 2022, Akani stated, “If I practice too much, I get dizzy, I get mind fog, and sometimes I lose my memory.”
“I can’t remember what I said when I spoke with my wife.” After losing a few games lately, I made an effort to practice more—I used to practice for seven or eight hours. However, I was so exhausted that sometimes I had trouble seeing well while I was lining up the shot.
“I continue to struggle with depression and chronic COVID. My well-being comes first. Right now, I’m attempting to put my body first. If my body improves, I believe I will be able to demonstrate my improved table manners.
“I know what I’m capable of, but my health prevents me from playing properly when I go to a match. I’m just attempting to unwind more in the hopes that I’ll grow better and be able to demonstrate my abilities.