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As the Class of ’92 approach the end, Trump vs Wilson could become snooker’s biggest rivalry in the next decade

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As the Class of '92 approach the end, Trump vs Wilson could become snooker's biggest rivalry in the next decade

SNOOKER’s Class of ’92 are fading away – with two English superstars ready to forge a new era.

Judd Trump has declared he’s ready to battle reigning world champion Kyren Wilson for “the next 10 years” or more.

Rivals Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson look set to battle it out at snooker's summit

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Rivals Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson look set to battle it out at snooker’s summitCredit: Getty
Wilson won his maiden world title in July to cap off a stunning last 12 months

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Wilson won his maiden world title in July to cap off a stunning last 12 monthsCredit: Getty
Trump remains World No. 1 and has racked up incredible prize money totals already this season

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Trump remains World No. 1 and has racked up incredible prize money totals already this seasonCredit: Getty

Wilson got the better of World No. 1 Trump in a one-sided final at last week’s Northern Ireland Open.

The 32-year-old pocketed a cool £100,000 after taking Trump’s crown in Belfast, blitzing him 9-3.

Despite the loss, Trump admitted Wilson’s meteoric rise over the last twelve months has “pushed him forward” as a player.

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He said: “It’s nice to have someone pushing me and going away to give their all every single time.

“It is good to have that kind of rivalry when you reach the top and we are both really enjoying it.”

Wilson won his maiden World Championship in May at the Crucible, beating Jak Jones 18-14.

And Trump – who admitted six years ago the pair were “complete opposites” away from the table – is impressed by his rival’s transformation.

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Trump continued: “From where he was a couple of years ago, he has gone to another level.

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“You can see a difference in him. The way he walks around the table is different.”

Despite Wilson’s incredible 2024, he’s had to work in Trump’s shadow for much of the past few years.

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Incredible moment Judd Trump gets standing ovation after 1000th century as fans spot Mark Allen’s classy reaction

And Judd’s impressive numbers for the current 2024-25 season show he remains the man to beat in world snooker.

So far this campaign, The Ace in the Pack has won 33 out of his ranking 38 matches.

He’s lifted trophies at both the Shanghai Masters and Saudi Arabia Masters, racking up prize money in excess of £880,000.

World No. 2 Wilson has picked up cheques of his own totalling £352,000, hardly a meagre return.

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But his 22 wins this season can’t match Trump’s relentless pace, which has left the Kettering native in awe.

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Wilson said after his win in Belfast: “I don’t know where he gets the stamina from.

“It’s got to be applauded, he makes me raise my game and we can’t keep relying on the Class of 92 all the time.”

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The Class of ’92 refers to the legendary trio of Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williamson.

With 14 world titles among them, the three players have dominated UK snooker over the past three decades.

But as their powers begin to fade, Wilson and Trump appear ready to fill the rivalry vacuum.

Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has won the world title seven times

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Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has won the world title seven timesCredit: Getty

List of all-time Snooker World Champions

BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.

The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season hen the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.

The first World Championships ran from 1927 – with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.

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Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.

Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each.

  • 1969 – John Spencer
  • 1970 – Ray Reardon
  • 1971 – John Spencer
  • 1972 – Alex Higgins
  • 1973 – Ray Reardon (2)
  • 1974 – Ray Reardon (3)
  • 1975 – Ray Reardon (4)
  • 1976 – Ray Reardon (5)
  • 1977 – John Spencer (2)
  • 1978 – Ray Reardon (6)
  • 1979 – Terry Griffiths
  • 1980 – Cliff Thorburn
  • 1981 – Steve Davis
  • 1982 – Alex Higgins (2)
  • 1983 – Steve Davis (2)
  • 1984 – Steve Davis (3)
  • 1985 – Dennis Taylor
  • 1986 – Joe Johnson
  • 1987 – Steve Davis (4)
  • 1988 – Steve Davis (5)
  • 1989 – Steve Davis (6)
  • 1990 – Stephen Hendry
  • 1991 – John Parrott
  • 1992 – Stephen Hendry (2)
  • 1993 – Stephen Hendry (3)
  • 1994 – Stephen Hendry (4)
  • 1995 – Stephen Hendry (5)
  • 1996 – Stephen Hendry (6)
  • 1997 – Ken Doherty
  • 1998 – John Higgins
  • 1999 – Stephen Hendry (7)
  • 2000 – Mark Williams
  • 2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
  • 2002 – Peter Ebdon
  • 2003 – Mark Williams (2)
  • 2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2)
  • 2005 – Shaun Murphy
  • 2006 – Graeme Dott
  • 2007 – John Higgins (2)
  • 2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (3)
  • 2009 – John Higgins (3)
  • 2010 – Neil Robertson
  • 2011 – John Higgins (4)
  • 2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (4)
  • 2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (5)
  • 2014 – Mark Selby
  • 2015 – Stuart Bingham
  • 2016 – Mark Selby (2)
  • 2017 – Mark Selby (3)
  • 2018 – Mark Williams (3)
  • 2019 – Judd Trump
  • 2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (6)
  • 2021 – Mark Selby (4)
  • 2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (7)
  • 2023 – Luca Brecel
  • 2024 – Kyren Wilson

Most World Titles (modern era)

  • 7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan
  • 6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
  • 4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby
  • 3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams
  • 2 – Alex Higgins

Trump has been around slightly longer than Wilson after breaking onto the scene as a teenager back in 2005.

The Bristol native is currently fourth on the all-time list of ranking event winners, with an outrageous 29 titles.

He won his own World Championship back in 2019 and currently edges Wilson on head-to-head records.

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Since their first meeting way back in 2013, Trump has won 18 of 32 matches against The Warrior.

He also has the edge in frames, taking 127 to Kyren’s 114.

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But one stat that jumps out in Wilson’s favour is his strong record against Trump in tournament finals.

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The pair have gone head-to-head for titles on five occasions.

Of those matches, Wilson has emerged victorious four times to Trump’s solitary one.

With both players in their mid-30s, there’s plenty of scope for their budding rivalry to continue well into the next decade.

And The Warrior has shown on multiple occasions he can raise his game when it matters most.

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Clutching his recent £100,000 prize in Belfast, Wilson said: “I’m glad I’m up there with [Judd] and competing.

“It’s good for the future of snooker.”

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Sport

Paris Masters: Jack Draper beats Taylor Fritz to continue winning run

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Paris Masters: Jack Draper beats Taylor Fritz to continue winning run

Fritz went one better than Draper at Flushing Meadows, reaching the final before losing to Jannik Sinner.

But he was edged out on this occasion in an engrossing match.

A stunning forehand winner after chasing down a Fritz smashed helped Draper sneak the first set on a tie-break but the second set threatened to swing towards the world number six.

At 3-2, Draper failed to take any of six break points in a marathon Fritz service game that included 10 deuces. The American broke to love in the next game en route to taking the set and levelling the match.

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But Draper, who only left the court in Vienna on Sunday afternoon and beat Czech Jiri Lehecka on Tuesday, resisted the swing in momentum and dug deep as his energy levels seemed to waver.

He used his powerful left-handed serve well throughout and capitalised on a wild double fault by Fritz at the end of a tight deciding set to take the contest on his first match point.

“It is the end of season – a lot of people are hurting, not just myself,” added Draper.

“I will keep fighting for every point no matter how I am feeling.”

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Earlier, Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev was beaten 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-4) by Australian Alexei Popyrin.

But third seed Alexander Zverev and eighth seed Grigor Dimitrov both progressed with victories against Tallon Griekspoor and Tomas Martin Etcheverry respectively.

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MMA

Derrick Lewis done with post-fight shenanigans?

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Derrick Lewis done with post-fight shenanigans?

Whether it’s “my balls was hot,” “where Ronda Rousey’s fine ass,” the time he pulled his pants down and threw his cup into the crowd, or something else, Derrick Lewis has provided UFC fans with some hilariously memorable post-fight interview moments through the years.

But heading into UFC Fight Night 246, don’t expect another one from “The Black Beast” – or so he says. The reason? Things are getting kind of weird when he’s at his kids’ school.

“This year I’ve been trying to spend a lot of time with my kids at school, and they’re in elementary and stuff like that. And so me going to school and the kids ask me about my balls and things like that, it’s just very uncomfortable, man,” Lewis told reporters, including MMA Junkie, with a laugh at Wednesday’s media day. “I want to change up everything. I’m not even taking my shorts off no more. I didn’t think about the other kids, the other kids’ families watching stuff like that, hearing me talk the way I talk, and me doing stuff I’m doing, so I’m just really trying to clean up my act. Be a class act this weekend, very professional.”

Yeah, OK. We’ll believe it when we (don’t) see it!

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Lewis returns Saturday at UFC Fight Night 246 from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where he’ll look for his second win in a row as he takes on Jhonata Diniz on the main card (ESPN+).

You can watch Lewis’ full, and clearly very serious, media day session with reporters in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, that’s on you.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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Motorsports

NASCAR suspends Conner Jones for wreck that left Matt Mills hospitalized

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NASCAR has suspended the 18-year-old Conner Jones for one race after his decision to intentionally wreck Matt Mills last weekend left his rival hospitalized. Jones was battling for 17th in the Homestead Truck race when he let his frustrations overcome him. Entering Turn 3, Jones drove into the back of Mills in an attempted bump-and-run. However, Mills’ truck snapped hard to the right and slammed the wall, quickly erupting into flames.

Mills, who climbed from the fiery wreckage under his own power, spent two nights at a local hospital due to smoke inhalation. Jones was held two laps after the incident during the Truck race at Homestead. 

 

After the race, Jones released a statement expressing regret and apologizing for his actions, saying: “I underestimated the impact my actions would have on Matt, and I deeply regret the consequences that followed. I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to Matt, Niece Motorsports, NASCAR, and my entire ThorSport Racing team for my unsportsmanlike behavior.”

The two drivers have had run-ins before. In a video message posted by Mills after being released from the hospital with a self-described ‘raspy’ voice, thanking everyone for their support and made it clear that he will be racing this weekend. “Definitely a scary situation,” he said, but he never mentioned Jones.

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Jones was slated to compete this weekend at Martinsville. ThorSport will instead put veteran driver Johnny Sauter behind the wheel of the No. 66 machine. The 2016 Truck Series champion has over 300 starts in his career and previously competed for ThorSport.

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Marcus Rashford hailed for ‘powering through like a champ’ after Man Utd ace hit with eye-watering tackle

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Marcus Rashford hailed for 'powering through like a champ' after Man Utd ace hit with eye-watering tackle

MARCUS RASHFORD has been hailed by Manchester United fans for ‘powering through like a champ’ after an eye-watering incident at Old Trafford.

The 26-year-old started the Carabao Cup clash against Leicester to mark the first game of the post Erik ten Hag era.

Marcus Rashford was left holding his groin after a stray boot

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Marcus Rashford was left holding his groin after a stray boot

The Dutchman was sacked on Monday with club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy taking interim charge.

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But Rashford endured his own pain on the pitch after being caught by an opponent’s boot in the groin.

The England man crumpled to the turf, and eventually after rising to his feet, held the sore area with his hand.

But he was soon back running for his new gaffer – which led to United fans hailing his resilience.

One United fan wrote on X: “Holding on and powering through like a champ!”

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Another added: “We’ve all been there”, while some posted amusing yet wincing GIFs of people being kicked in the groin area.

And one decided to point out the obvious, writing: “Must be hurt.”

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MMA

Video: Justin Gaethje crumpled by coach during body shot challenge in training

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Video: Justin Gaethje crumpled by coach during body shot challenge in training

Justin Gaethje has now been knocked down twice this year.

Back in April, Gaethje put his “BMF” title on the line against Max Holloway at UFC 300. After a back-and-forth war for five rounds, Gaethje answered Holloway’s call to slug it out in the final 10 seconds, only to then get brutally faceplanted just before the fight ended.

And now he’s been dropped again.

On Wednesday, Gaethje shared training footage to his Instagram account, showing him getting into a body shot challenger with his coach. After a few rounds of back and forth shots from each man, it was the former UFC interim lightweight champion who got crumpled with a nasty body shot.

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After doubling over and falling to the ground, Gaethje grunts in obvious discomfort, while his head coach Trevor Whittman laughs and celebrates the unexpected outcome.

Gaethje has not fought since UFC 300, saying he wanted to take six months to allow his body to recover from the knockout and noting that another one like that would spell the end of his career.

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Football

Can the Yankees come back from being down 3-1 in the World Series? | First Things First

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Can the Yankees come back from being down 3-1 in the World Series?



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The New York Yankees won Game 4 of the World Series 11-4, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in an elimination game. Now down 3-1, the Yankees have an opportunity to make history and come back from being down 3-0. Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes discuss this possible outcome.

22 MINS AGO・first things first・5:00



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