The World Snooker Championship gets under way on Friday in Sheffield.
Anthony Hamilton has decided to withdraw from the Betfred World Championship for medical reasons.
Hamilton came through the qualifying rounds, winning two matches, but subsequently decided to pull out of the event as he suffers from chronic asthma.
He had been due to face Kyren Wilson in the last 32 at the Crucible on Friday afternoon, with the second session on Saturday evening. Wilson now receives a bye to the last 16.
“It has been a really difficult decision for me,” said 49-year-old Anthony Hamilton, from Nottingham.
“I was extremely impressed by the way that WST and their partners ran the qualifying rounds, they made the players feel totally safe.”
“And I realise they have followed all of the government guidelines and implemented extensive measures for the main event at the Crucible.
“However due to my health condition, after careful consideration I have decided not to play in the final stages.
“I want to apologise to my opponents at the qualifiers, Sam Craigie and Scott Donaldson, and assure them that I had every intention of playing at the Crucible.
“But it was only after I finished the qualifying rounds that I was able to do a full personal risk assessment based on the latest information and discussions with WST.
“I am absolutely gutted not to be playing because it is the best tournament and the Crucible is the home of snooker.
“I wish everyone the best and hope the event is a great success.”
World number 48 Hamilton will receive the £20,000 he earned by reaching the last 32 and that will count towards his world ranking.
Antony Hamilton always liked your playing honestly but I you have not been honest on this , good luck for next season
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ABSOLUTELY support Anthony Hamilton for putting his Health and VERY POSSIBLY His LIFE as His PRIORITY!! And how APPALLING for Mr (and i use that term VERY LOOSELY😊) Barry Hearn to criticise him for his decision which can’t have been an easy one for Anthony to make. And added SHAME on Hearn for accusing Anthony of having been dishonest!!! CLEARLY Hearn & His HUGE EGO & GLUTTONY for MONEY rather than the PARAMOUNT concern for the Players and in this CASE, the Crucible Audience, (Whom Ronnie O’Sullivan quite RIGHTLY likened to “Lab Rats”), is NOT FIT TO RUN his organisation, which USED to be run by comparitively SANE Human Beings😊 Stay SAFE Anthony and Good Luck with all your future snooker matches. and as for Hearn, i suggest getting some phsyciatric HELP could be his best way forward??!!
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