The three biggest snooker tournaments in the world are still situated in the UK, but China has grown into a major market for the sport and has hosted a number of major events.
As such, the majority of professional players—including Xiao Guodong, who has resided here since joining the main tour in 2007—have their bases in the United Kingdom.
Over the course of nearly two decades in the UK, the 35-year-old has lived most of his time in Sheffield, with brief periods in Wales and Gloucester.
I moved to the UK in 2007 and have stayed here ever since,” Xiao said to Metro.co.uk. “I arrived in Sheffield first, then travelled to Wales to see Terry Griffiths, and finally travelled to Gloucester to the
I came to the UK for the first time in 2007 and have stayed ever since, Xiao told Metro.co.uk. I’ve lived in Sheffield for roughly ten years total. I first travelled to the city, then I visited Terry Griffiths in Wales, Gloucester, the South West Academy, and then I returned to Sheffield. It serves as a second residence.
In Sheffield, the world championship at the Crucible is well-known. When I moved here for the first time as a young person, it was my ideal home. I had always wanted to travel to the UK, see Sheffield and the Crucible, and compete in the World Championship.
That was the dream.” Being on tour up till now has been a huge blessi
Xiao, who is still regarded as one of the best instructors in the history of the sport, has pleasant memories of his time spent in South Wales working with 1979 world champion Griffiths.
I learned a lot from him,” Xiao remarked of Griffiths. As soon as you turn professional, you’re already at a high level. He gives you advice on the mental game, and I was really appreciative of it.
I was only able to understand about 70–80% of the words because my English was not that excellent. He was my coach for two or three years, and he was really helpful. Many thanks to him.
There are many coaches in snooker in China and the UK, but some of them have never been on a tour or to a final, therefore they are not familiar with the emotions of
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