2016 World Championship - Mark Selby wins Crucible crown

Mark Selby beat Ding Junhui 18-14 to lift his second world title since, incidentally, defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan by the same scoreline back in 2014 in the same Crucible theatre from Sheffield.

Selby started the final in fine form ending the first session at 6-2 up, but lost momentum during the second one although he still managed to maintain his dominance, 10-7. You can read more about the first day of the World Championship final here.

The third session proved to be a bit of a turning-point despite the fact that "The Jester from Leicester" was still the man to beat.

The first two frames were won by Ding, whose break of 89 and tremendous 35 clearance to win on the black, were more than enough to assure (if needed) that this man is ready to conquer new grounds.

Mark responded with a solid 126, but Ding fought back with a great 103 to get just one behind his opponent, at 11-10.


15 minutes later the lads re-entered into the arena, a more composed Selby winning two frames in a row thanks to contributions of 52 and 68.

Ding managed to pull back a frame, although it wasn't easy after losing position at 52, but the last frame of the session was cashed by Mark who was now 14-11 in front.

The last session of the final begun with the same Mark Selby in amongst the balls, runs of 57 and 46 gifting him the first frame, while the second was dramatically won after a great 36 clearance, on the black.

"The Chinese Sensation" stood his ground and was able to hit two marvellous winning breaks of 73 and 70 to take the last two frames before the interval, to which he added a beautiful 103 (his 15th century break of the tournament) to go 16-14 behind.

Frame 31 was a genuine 51-minute thriller, the biggest break being a 20 points one, but in the end Selby managed to clinch it, thus being one away from victory.


The last frame of the match was easily won with a top break of 74, this also making the scoreboard to freeze at 18-14. Mark Selby was king of the Crucible for the second time.

Emotional and overexcited about his victory, Selby was the first one to admit that his performance was "bits and pieces" throughout the entire tournament and that he doesn't really know how he won it. However, he knows that when required, he delivered and that what made the difference in the end.

Selby received the trophy from the six-time world champion, Steve Davis (who retired during this year's World Championship) and was congratulated by an over the moon wife - Vikki & the sweetest thing ever - their daughter Sophia.

This concludes out 17-day snooker marathon my dear chums which has been a true delight to cover, as always.

Many of you won't agree with me, but since this is my blog I can say whatever I please, so here it goes: it was a special World Championship, even a weird one and I loved every minute of it!


We've seen many of the TOP 16 players making an early exit and the favourites to the title losing from the first or second rounds, but that's what captured my attention and that's what makes snooker so damn unpredictable and beautiful.

At the end of the day it's snooker and for the true snooker fans it isn't about who wins or loses, it's about the game itself, the drama, the fun, the out-of-this-world experience.

The chairman of World Snooker, Mr Barry Hearn just announced that after closing the 10-years deal with EuroSport, they also extended the broadcasting contract with the BBC for the Masters, UK Championship and the World Championship until 2019.

Still, probably the best news of them all is the fact that there is a signed deal that says the World Championship will stay in Sheffield for the coming 11 years (aka. until 2027), so there's a good chance I might just come and see snooker played at its best haha.

Jokes aside, this is indeed tremendous news and I am sure that I am not the only one to think that.

So, looking forward to the new season, ay?