Ronnie "The Rocket" O'Sullivan

O'Sullivan grew up and still lives in the exclusive Manor Road area in Chigwell, Essex and attended Wanstead High School. He started his career at an early age. He first achieved a century break at the age of 10, making a 117; scored a 147 or maximum break at 15; and turned professional at 16. He won his first 38 matches as a professional – a record that still stands – on his way to the 1993 World Championship, where he remains the youngest-ever player to qualify. He lost in the first round 10-7 to Alan McManus and ended his debut season ranked 57. He was the youngest ever winner of a ranking tournament when he won the 1993 UK Championship aged 17, beating Stephen Hendry in the final, and starting one of the most prominent rivalries in the sport.

On 21 April 1997, in the first round of the World Championship against Mick Price, he made the fastest-recorded maximum break (and also his first), 5 minutes and 20 seconds, an average of one shot every 9 seconds.[8] It is regarded as a sporting record that will stand for all time, in that it would be all but impossible to achieve a maximum break any more quickly. In November, he won his second UK title, beating Hendry 10-6 in the final.