Top 16 Snooker Profiles: Ronny O’Sullivan, Zhao Xintong & More

Neal Foulds has outlined the top 16 seeds ahead of this year’s World Championship at the Crucible. His assessment highlights form, past results and likely contenders.

Leading contenders

Zhao Xintong is the top seed. He won the World Championship in 2025. He claimed the Riyadh Season Championship, World Grand Prix, Players Championship and Tour Championship this season. Recent World Championship form reads: A/LQ/R2/A/W.

Judd Trump is seeded second. His season included the German Masters title. Recent Crucible results show deep runs and a 2019 world title. Trump has battled equipment and travel issues this season.

Kyren Wilson sits third. He won the Shanghai Masters and The Masters this year. Wilson also won the World Championship in 2024. His recent World Championship pattern shows quiet build-ups before peaking at the Crucible.

Neil Robertson is the fourth seed. He won the Saudi Arabia Masters this season. Robertson is a former world champion, having lifted the trophy in 2010. His recent Crucible record has been mixed, but he remains capable of long runs.

Established names and past champions

John Higgins is seeded five. He has four world titles and reached several major finals this season. Higgins remains a dangerous opponent at the Crucible.

Mark Williams is sixth seed. A three-time world champion, he reached last year’s final. Williams also won the Xi’an Grand Prix this season and often peaks deep into tournaments.

Mark Selby holds seventh seed. He is a four-time world champion and won both the Champions of Champions and the UK Championship this season. Selby can grind through long matches when in form.

Shaun Murphy is the eighth seed. He won the British Open this season. Murphy was the 2005 world champion and has reached further Crucible finals since then. His improved safety play makes him a live contender.

Mid-table threats

Xiao Guodong is ninth seed. He won the Wuhan Open this season. Xiao has become a solid match player who handles long matches well.

Wu Yize is tenth seed and won the International Championship. At 22, he is a major young talent. Consistency remains his key challenge in long events.

Barry Hawkins is seeded eleven. He won the Welsh Open this season. Hawkins was the 2013 Crucible runner-up and consistently poses problems for opponents.

Ronny O’Sullivan appears at number 12. He is a seven-time world champion. O’Sullivan reached two finals this season and produced high breaks, including a 153. He remains one of the headline names among the Top 16 Snooker Profiles: Ronny O’Sullivan, Zhao Xintong & More.

Outside contenders and youngsters

Chris Wakelin is the 13th seed. He won the Scottish Open this season and played impressively at the Crucible last year. Questions remain about his ability to sustain peak form for the whole event.

Mark Allen is seeded 14. He won the English Open this term and has reached two Crucible semi-finals in his career. Allen has been working on his cue action this season, which has affected his confidence.

Si Jiahui occupies the 15th seed. He reached the semi-finals in 2023. Si showed real potential then but has since struggled for consistent improvement.

Ding Junhui rounds out the top 16. He sneaked in as the final automatic qualifier and has reached multiple quarter-finals this season. Ding remains a player who can lift his game on snooker’s biggest stage.

Looking ahead

Foulds’ profiles mix clear favourites with dark horses. Several veterans still carry major titles and dangerous form. Young stars add uncertainty to the draw.

Filmogaz.com will carry further analysis and match coverage. More from Neal Foulds is available on Filmogaz.com.