Zhao Xintong grew to become the newest sufferer of the well-known Crucible Curse this week.
The Crucible Curse is an actual factor, says Steven Hallworth (Picture: BBC)
Prime snooker commentator Steven Hallworth has admitted he was a sceptic when it got here to the notorious ‘Crucible Curse’ – however now says: “I am a believer.” For the reason that World Championship moved to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 1977, no first-time winner has ever efficiently defended the title the next yr.
Zhao Xintong was the newest participant to fall sufferer to the Curse as he crashed out on the quarter-final stage of the 2026 World Championship, shedding 13-10 to Shaun Murphy. And Hallworth, who tipped Zhao to win the match earlier than it began, is now absolutely on board with the Curse.
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“Pay attention, imagine in it, as a result of it is an actual factor,” Hallworth instructed Categorical Sport. “I used to be sceptical. I genuinely thought the most important likelihood it had of being damaged was Zhao Xintong.
“He was my tip for the occasion. Not purely due to who he’s or what he is carried out, however due to how properly he is performed lately. He is completely dominated the Gamers Sequence. It is tough sufficient to get in these occasions, not to mention dominate and win all three.
“The Curse, 50 years down the road, it is completely a factor. And I am a believer.” Hallworth has turn into one of many sport’s distinguished voices in recent times. He’s a serious a part of the Channel 5 workforce, with that channel overlaying dwell fundamental tour snooker for the primary time this season.
And he’s additionally at the moment making his BBC debut as a part of their commentary workforce at this World Championship. “It has been superb,” Hallworth mentioned, reflecting on working on the occasion. “Simply to be in that room, the place all the things on this sport has ever occurred. All my childhood recollections of snooker are just about from contained in the Crucible.
Zhao Xintong did not defend his title (Picture: Getty)
“It is fairly surreal to be watching these guys doing it. And to be commentating on it’s much more unusual.” Hallworth additionally admitted he is personally delighted with the brand new Crucible deal, which ensures the match will keep on the iconic venue till at the least 2045.
A £45million deal was introduced final month, with the sector set to be revamped following the 2028 match, with as much as 500 seats added and the capability taken as much as round 1,500. “Clearly I am engaged on the occasion as a broadcaster, however truly I am nonetheless a participant and I’ve by no means managed to qualify for this occasion but,” Hallworth mentioned.
“I’ve misplaced on ‘Judgement Day’ beforehand, so it was attending to the purpose the place it was like, oh my God, I must qualify earlier than it leaves, as a result of we weren’t certain on the long run.
“The actual fact it is right here till 2045 shocked me massively. I assumed it could keep, however that size is simply good and it is excellent for the game. And I feel it has been illustrated at this occasion, simply seeing how properly supported it’s and what can occur contained in the Crucible. It can not transfer.”
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