Winners and finals

Ebdon - the defending champion Player profile: Peter Ebdon

Peter Ebdon became the 14th winner of snooker's most prestigious trophy, since Embassy began sponsoring the event in 1976, when he beat Stephen Hendry in the 2002 final.

Winning 18-17, it was the third occasion that the final had gone down to the wire, being decided in the final frame.

In that time Hendry has won a record seven titles, the first in 1990 making him the youngest world champion at the age of 21 years and 106 days.

Steve Davis claimed six championships, and along with Hendry, is the only man to have succesfully defended his title.

Jimmy White is the only man to have appeared in more than one final without ever winning the title - losing on six occasions, five in a row.

Davis appeared in a record seven consecutive finals from 1983, winning five, and one of the two finals he lost was the longest in the tournament's history.

Like Ebdon, Dennis Taylor finally won through 18-17, potting the final black 10 minutes shy of 15 hours after the match had begun.

This year's winner will receive �270,000, with the runner-up claiming the consolation of �158,000.

Ray Reardon won �3,500 when winning the first Embassy title in 1976.

Break building

Hendry - the master potter Player profile: Stephen Hendry

Last year Stephen Hendry set a new record for the number of centuries scored in a tournament, his tally of 16 eclipsing the 14 John Higgins notched in 1998.

There were 68 centuries in total 12 months ago, a tournament best, nine more than the previous record of 59 from 1998.

In the last decade 499 centuries have been scored at The Crucible, and, since his debut in 1986, Hendry has recorded 96 tons - another championship record.

However, despite his prodigous scoring streak last year, he failed to finish on top of the pile, Matthew Stevens taking the honours with an effort of 145.

Had he been able to take the black instead of a blue as he worked his way through the reds, the Welshman would have joined an elite club.

Only four men have managed to score maximums at the Embassy World Championship.

Championship maximums 1983 - Cliff Thorburn 1992 - Jimmy White 1995 - Stephen Hendry 1997 - Ronnie O'Sullivan

Cliff Thorburn was the first to make the magical 147 in 1983 and has since been followed by Jimmy White, Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

O'Sullivan's effort, timed at five minutes and 20 seconds, is the fastest in the history of the sport.

The highest break at this year's tournament has a prize of �22,000, with a maximum earning �147,000.