Interview with Ronnie ahead of the Cluj exhibitions this week-end

June 15, 2016 Monique Interview Exhibition

Ahead of the exhibitions in Cluj this week-end, Ronnie gave a short interview to the Romanian media. This is the link to the original article in Romanian.

And here is an automatic translation of the interview, not perfect by any means, but still understandable.

Ronnie O’Sullivan, snooker star world, sent a message of greeting from Cluj fans and not only demonstrative before matches that will be played in the presence of other big names caliber in the event snooker Titans Cluj Trophy, which will take place on 18-19 June at the Polyvalent Hall of Cluj. In a brief interview, he sent his greetings to his fans, answering, some questions of the organizers.

Ronnie, is that the third visit you are doing in Romania in the last seven months. How do you feel here?
Everyone makes me feel so good here, I’m glad I played a role in promoting snooker in Romania.
We are just days away from the event in Cluj, which is your message for fans waiting to see you on 18 and 19 June?
I heard so much about how beautiful the Transylvania keep Europeans are here in October and it is fabulous that you have a chance to visit. See you Saturday and Sunday at the biggest show of snooker.
Curiosity about Ronnie
– Which is?
Favorite singer?
Ian Brown.
Favorite country to visit?
Romania, of course.
The great thing about snooker?
Break building.
The great thing when you’re snooker player?
Traveling all over the world.
If I had to choose another profession?
Chef.
Accessory or lucky charm that you have a long time?
My watch, a gift from the mother at the age of 21 years.
What makes you laugh the most?
Funny people.
The greatest personality that you want to have dinner?
Ayrton Senna.
Favorite movie of all time?
Shawshank redemption.
A hobby that you’ve taken recently?
Boxing.
Your favorite food?
Fish.
Music instrument that you would like to play?
Piano.
What are you reading now?
Magazine, mainly about health and fitness.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Power to change evil into good.

Ronnie … in conversations

June 14, 2016June 14, 2016 Monique Interview Interview

Ronnie was at the Crucible theatre in Sheffield yesterday … without his cue!

Indeed he was being interviewed by Simon Hattenstone, in the context of the Sheffield Doc/Fest festival, about documentaries and films that inspired him, both in his career and in everyday life.

Simon and Ronnie go a long way back, as Simon is the person who helped Ronnie in writing both of his autobiographies. Simon is a regular writer for The Guardian and is well known for his in-depth interviews with artists, sportspersons and occasionally politicians.

It seems that the evening was a great success, judging by reactions on twitter. Here is a selection … so you can judge by yourself!

Brendan Boyle ‏@boylie1977

It’s standard, but as if Ronnie needs an introduction, especially here @crucibletheatre of all places @ronnieo147

@ronnieo147 @crucibletheatre without a cue? @sheffdocfest Strange but great to see. Great evening!

Ryan Finnigan ‏@sicryan

Great to finally meet @ronnieo147 today. His perfectionism, honesty and poetic snooker have long been an inspiration

Mark Ansell ‏@MarkAnsell

Loved seeing The Rocket @ronnieo147 playing clips of his favourite sport docs at @sheffdocfest including Senna & Ali

Emma Wright ‏@EmmaWright24

@ronnieo147 great to see you in a totally different way tonight! #inspiration #@ronnieo147 #dropsofjupitar

Miss B ‏@sarahblythe147

What a fabulous evening @sheffdocfest listening to @ronnieo147 Could have listen to you all night Ronnie… Really interesting! Loved it x

@ronnieo147 thanks for the pic and autograph…top man staying back to see everyone! 👍

Emma Keeling ‏@emke

@ronnieo147 Hi Ronnie, really enjoyed seeing you @sheffdocfest tonight. Going to watch the film Senna on your recommendation 👍

Terplife ‏@BSLterplife

When you interpret on stage for your hero and they’re just wonderful. #whataday #bsl #interpreting 💗🙌 @ronnieo147

Kate Atkinson ‏@KayteMay

@ronnieo147 as candid as ever. Enjoyable interview at Sheffield Doc Festival.

Liam Buxton ‏@liamb1981

@ronnieo147 Really enjoyed your talk tonight! The wife is over the moon.

Koulla Anastasi ‏@koulla

Rapturous applause and whooping for the legendary @ronnieo147 #sheffdocfest

It’s great to read that Ronnie had time for everyone after the show as well.

I’m not surprised that he cited Ayrton Senna and Mohammad Ali as sources of inspiration. Both were more than just great champions and winners, they were characters, with flair and panache and never afraid to speak their minds.

If I can find a more detailed account of what Ronnie spoke about, I will of course publish it. The show was interpreted to BSL (British Sign Language) to allow hearing impaired persons to enjoy it.

Meanwhile here are a few pictures taken by the fans and published on twitter:

Humbled …

June 13, 2016June 13, 2016 Monique Live, Snooker Live, Snooker

Ronnie came back from Belfast with a defeat but also with memories to be cherished …

This is what he put on his Facebook page:

Met up with Jean and Anne yesterday, the Hurricanes sisters. They gave me two pieces of his chalk. Humbled

Ronnie was always a great admirer of Alex Higgins game and flair. He was one of his childhood heroes.

Eleven30 Series Event 2: Judd wins again

June 12, 2016 Monique Snooker Legends event Exhibition, Snooker Legends

Judd beat Ronnie again yesterday evening in the Waterfront, Belfast, this time by 6-4. This means that he now leads 2-0 in the Eleven30 Series 2016. Next event is on August 20, 2016, in Goffs, Ireland and Ronnie really needs a win there. It will not be easy as Judd, when he has no pressure, is really a scary potter who goes for some truly daring shots and gets them more often than not.

Here is Jason Francis (@Snookerlegend) on twitter:

Underway…

Rocket enters Belfast to huge reception

Tense first frame

Ronnie 1-0

Ronnie going 2-0 up here…

98 from Judd 2-1 to Ronnie

Judd in again 74 and counting… 2-2 coming up

Ronnie 3-2 with a century 102

Rocket up in frame 6… 49 but Judd now in the balls

Judd misses the pink, Ros plays a safety but Judd cuts it in 3-3

Judd in first frame 7… Balls looking good for a sizeable break…

Judd with 80 and now leads 4-3

Frame 8.. Ronnie responding… 37 up

58…

Frame ends on 72, Judd back but he needs 2 snookers

4-4!!!! Best of 3 now

Judd 5-4 up now… Could be heading 2-0 up in the series

Time to dig deep rocket

Frame 10, tense. Scrappy table. Lots of errors

Judd wins 6-4 to go 2-0 up in the series Ronnie with it all to do in Goffs

2000 people today witnessed two of the worlds most popular snooker players @ronnieo147 v @judd147t

Jimmy White, the Dafabet embassador, was present and played a frame against a member of the audience and presented the trophy.

Here are a few pictures posted on twitter by Jason, Django Fung (Judd’s manager) and fans

Oh! And Roonie, who explained in his latest radio show that he really needs to care about his diet, kept us up-to-date on the matter with this tweet:

My Food for the next 2 days

Lots of fish and nuts… Not sure that eating that magazine is such a good idea though.

Midweek Matchzone n°37 is now available online

June 10, 2016 Monique Radio or Television Show Radio Show

You can listen (again) to the show here.

Chris, Alan and Ronnie are joined by Paralympian Shot Putter Jonathan Adams who also serves as a Director and Ambassador for World Disability Billiards and Snooker.

The talk snooker, Olympics, finding the right balance in life to get the most out of oneself, why bookies always win and French Open tennis.

A really good show from start to finish. Enjoy!

Midweek Matchzone n°36 now out

June 4, 2016 Monique Radio or Television Show Radio Show

You can listen to the show again here

Chris and Ronnie chat with Ilford FC manager Allan Fenn and Ronnie O’Sullivan Jr about all things sport.

Not being a football fan one bit, but it’s amazing the number of things a manager has to do when they manage a non league club with sparse resources.

I also liked the discussion about sports “dignity” and what sportsmanship is about as opposed to winning at all costs.

Eleven30 – Judd Trump wins the first event

June 4, 2016June 13, 2019 Monique Snooker Legends event Snooker Legends

Judd won the first event of six in the new Eleven30 Series. The match was very close, and went to a deciding frame, that Judd won on the final colors. According to reactions on twitter, it was a great match, and a great evening for all … except maybe Ronnie junior who was there with his dad and very disappointed to see him lose in the end.

Both players had the opportunity to do make a maximium, and missed. Both made a century on the night: 122 for Ronnie, 106 for Judd.

A big thanks to Steve Kent (@maximumsnooker) who kept us informed on twitter all evening about how things were panning out, and provided great pictures all along. Read his feed for details about how the match unfotlded.

Michaela Tabb kept a sharp eye on the proceedings, and Jimmy White who presented the trophy, also played a bit of snooker against a member of the public.

Exhibition (03.06.2016.): Judd Trump 147 attempt – Ronnie O’Sullivan

And here are pictures of the evening, posted on twitter by Jason Francis (@SnookerLegends), Django Fung (&Grovesnooker) and , mainly, Steve Kent(@maximumsnooker)