How Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan brought 'El Chapo or Freddie Mercury' magic to Championship League with fresh look
Published 22/06/2026 at 10:48 GMT+1
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Ronnie O'Sullivan emerged at the Championship League during the pandemic lockdown in Milton Keynes six years ago sporting a moustache that he compared in style to iconic Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.
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At the tournament played behind closed doors at the city's Marshall Arena, O'Sullivan appeared sporting a new look on June 5, 2020 and won all three matches against Chris Wakelin, Michael Georgiou and Kishan Hirani.
He did not drop a frame, producing two century breaks in a blistering performance that was arguably only bettered by his formidable facial hair.
With the ranking event version of the Championship League set to get underway in Leicester on Monday, O'Sullivan's tache remains one of its most memorable moments in recent years.
”I set myself a challenge as soon as we were in lockdown. Initially I thought I’d grow a beard,” said O'Sullivan.
”But that got a bit itchy. Then my partner said: ‘Why not grow a tache?’ So I thought: ‘Why not for a giggle?’ I might keep it. I’m like a new Willie Thorne, but with hair.
”A few people also said I look like Mexican drug lord El Chapo and Freddie Mercury.”
Stephen Maguire is defending the title at Leicester's Mattioli Arena following a 3-1 win over Joe O'Connor in last year's final, with the competition running from June 22 until July 15.
Kyren Wilson, the 2024 world champion, is in action on Monday in Group 3 against Dylan Emery, Michal Szubarczyk and Haydon Pinhey.
Zhao Xintong, last year's Crucible winner, is also involved, coming up against Simon Blackwell, Gao Yang and David Grace on July 9.
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Meanwhile, Maguire takes to the table on July 4 with matches against Robbie Williams, Ng On Yee and Anton Kazakov.
The 32 group winners will contest eight groups of four between July 10-14, with two final groups of four and the title match taking place on July 15.
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