The (officially the 2004 Embassy World Snooker Championship) was a landmark event in snooker history, held from April 17 to May 3, 2004 , at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The tournament is best remembered for Ronnie O’Sullivan capturing his second world title, solidifying his status as one of the sport's all-time greats while being mentored by six-time champion Ray Reardon. Final Standings and Prize Money
The 2004 championship remains a significant chapter in the World Snooker Tour , representing the peak of the "modern era" where O'Sullivan began his ascent to matching Stephen Hendry's then-record of seven world titles.
The Rocket Ascends: Ronnie O’Sullivan’s 2004 World Championship Triumph World Championship Snooker 2004
: Despite eventually winning 18–8, O'Sullivan initially trailed 0–5 to Graeme Dott in the first session before staging a massive recovery.
: O'Sullivan became only the fourth player to win the World title more than once at the Crucible Theatre. The (officially the 2004 Embassy World Snooker Championship)
: In the semi-finals, O'Sullivan delivered a crushing 17–4 defeat to Stephen Hendry . This set a new record for the largest margin of victory in a World Championship semi-final, surpassing Hendry's own 1992 record.
: Mark Williams entered as the defending champion but was eliminated in the second round, losing 11–13 to Joe Perry. Notable Records and Debuts This set a new record for the largest
: Much of O’Sullivan’s tactical discipline during the event was attributed to the coaching of Ray Reardon , nicknamed "Dracula," who helped him refine his "Plan B" safety game.