Is sport mostly in the mind? The snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is one of the most successful players ever. But his life has not been easy.
The genius of snooker's greatest champion
Is sport mostly in the mind? The snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is one of the most successful players ever. But his life has not been easy.
What's happening?
The crowd waited in silence. The player made his last move. They cheered with delight. Ronnie O'Sullivan had won again!
The snooker player has now won the world title seven times. Some think he is the best player ever.
Ronnie O'Sullivan was a star from when he was young. When he was just 10, he scored 100 points in a single turn. This meant potting 25 balls during one go.
He became a professional snooker player when he was only 16. A year later, he won the British championship. He was the youngest player ever to win.
Find out more
But soon his life became harder. Both of his parents went to prison. Ronnie O'Sullivan became ill. He got in trouble for attacking someone during a snooker game.
Aged 34, he wanted to quit. But somebody he worked with had an idea. He suggested that Ronnie should go to a psychologist called Steve Peters.
Steve worked hard with Ronnie. He helped show him that lots of his problems were to do with his mind. Ronnie learnt that he could succeed if he tried hard enough.
Now, Ronnie is 47 and the oldest person to win a world snooker title.
Is sport mostly in the mind?
You can be the most talented player in the world, but if you do not have the right mindset you can make a mess of everything.
Mental strength is important, but physical ability is what really counts. Ronnie O'Sullivan is naturally good at snooker. That is what helps him win.
Keywords
Championship - A big competition to find the best in a sport or game.
Psychologist - Someone who studies the mind, emotions and behaviour.
The genius of snooker’s greatest champion
Glossary
Championship - A big competition to find the best in a sport or game.
Psychologist - Someone who studies the mind, emotions and behaviour.