Maguire impresses in Preston to reach China Championship finals
STEPHEN Maguire’s yo-yo season continued yesterday as the Milton pro showed vintage form to qualify for next month’s China Championship.
The 37-year-old world No 14 reached the semi-finals of last month’s Riga Masters but suffered an abject defeat at the European Masters qualifiers last Friday.
Maguire looked a completely different player in Preston yesterday, giving a passable imitation of Ronnie O’Sullivan as he raced round the table and fired breaks of 69, 117, 96 and 114 to overwhelm China’s Chen Feilong 5-1.
His next tournament is the Six Red World Championship in Bangkok in a fortnight. Maguire will be among the favourites there after lifting the trophy in 2014. ATHLETICS: Sir Mo Farah will aim to become the first runner to win five Great North Runs when he races next month.
The four-time Olympic champion will continue his road racing career on September 9 in Newcastle, he has confirmed.
He has won the last four races and will aim to make history in the half marathon event ahead of October’s Chicago marathon.
Farah, a six-time world champion, has competed in every Great North Run since 2013, finishing second in his first outing and winning in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Farah said: “I can’t wait to come back to Newcastle and race again.
“It’s something I look forward to every year – the crowds are always unbelievable and it’s a good course for racing.
“To be the best in the world you have to beat the best and it’s going to be no different here. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Last year’s fourth win equalled Benson Masya’s record.
Olympic and World champion Vivian Cheruiyot will also return to Tyneside as she bids to make it two victories in three years.