Class of ’92 Icons Sent Packing as O’Sullivan and Higgins Crash Out of World Championship on the Same Night
In one of the most dramatic evenings in recent Crucible history, snooker witnessed the simultaneous exits of two of its most decorated figures. Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins, pillars of the sport since the early 1990s and founding members of the famed “Class of ’92,” both bowed out of the World Championship on the same night. Their defeats at the hands of Stuart Bingham and Kyren Wilson respectively not only stunned the Sheffield crowd but also signaled a potential passing of the torch to a new generation hungry to carve out their own legacies.
For O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion and widely considered the greatest cueist of all time, the loss to 2015 champion Stuart Bingham was a bitter blow. The Rocket entered the tournament as favorite, carrying both form and aura, but Bingham’s tactical nous and unshakable temperament proved decisive. In a match of shifting momentum, O’Sullivan’s natural flair was countered by Bingham’s consistency, with the Basildon man keeping his nerve during the closing frames. A final clearance under pressure sealed a famous victory, sending the Crucible into raptures and O’Sullivan into reflective mode about missed chances.
Simultaneously, on the adjacent table, John Higgins was locked in a bruising battle with Kyren Wilson. The Wizard of Wishaw, four-time world champion and another Class of ’92 great, had shown glimpses of vintage form earlier in the tournament. Yet Wilson, known for his gritty determination and heavy scoring when in rhythm, refused to be intimidated by Higgins’ reputation. After sharing frames in a tense opening, Wilson began to dictate the pace, seizing on errors and stringing together breaks with ruthless efficiency. The 2020 finalist held firm in the closing stages, eventually crossing the finish line with a maturity and composure that suggested his time to lift the trophy may finally be near.
The significance of these twin upsets cannot be overstated. O’Sullivan, Higgins, and Mark Williams have dominated the sport for over three decades, their longevity and brilliance redefining snooker’s modern era. For two of them to fall on the same evening, both undone by players from the chasing pack, felt like a symbolic moment. While neither O’Sullivan nor Higgins has announced any intention to retire, their simultaneous exits underscored how perilous the Crucible can be, even for legends.
For Bingham, victory over O’Sullivan was another reminder of his own credentials. Often underestimated, the 48-year-old has developed a reputation as a big-match player. His calm under pressure and ability to produce when it matters most make him a dangerous opponent heading into the semi-finals. “To beat Ronnie on this stage means everything,” Bingham said afterward. “I’ve worked so hard, and to come through against the greatest shows I can still mix it with the best.”
Wilson, meanwhile, continues to build a reputation as one of the sport’s most resilient figures. His journey to the 2020 final ended in heartbreak at the hands of O’Sullivan, but he now looks determined to go one step further. “I’ve learned from past experiences,” Wilson reflected. “Beating John, someone I’ve looked up to for years, gives me massive confidence. I’m ready to keep pushing.”
As the semi-finals loom, snooker fans are left to digest the rare sight of a Crucible lineup without O’Sullivan or Higgins. The departures of the Class of ’92 icons on the same night mark a poignant chapter in the sport’s ongoing evolution. Yet their absence also sets the stage for others—Bingham, Wilson, and the remaining contenders—to seize the spotlight and etch their names into the rich tapestry of World Championship history.
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