15-Year-Old Szubarczyk Makes History as Youngest World Snooker Championship Match Winner

At just 15 years, two months, and 25 days old, Michal Szubarczyk has become the youngest player to win a World Snooker Championship match, breaking the previous record set by Liam Davies in 2022. Szubarczyk achieved this feat in the first qualifying round of the World Championship, where he defeated Hong Kong's Ng On Yee 10-7 at the English Institute of Sport. Ng, a three-time women's world snooker champion, had been on a winning streak, having claimed victories on the women's tour in February and March. Following his historic win, Szubarczyk expressed his pride and excitement, stating, "I feel very proud... I'm very excited to play the next match, and maybe this year or next year, I can become the youngest Crucible player." To achieve this goal, Szubarczyk must win three more matches. If successful, he will surpass the record held by Luca Brecel, who made his Crucible debut in 2012 at the age of 17 years and 45 days. In another match, six-time World Snooker Championship finalist Jimmy White was eliminated in the first qualifying round by 21-year-old Gao Yang from China, despite White initially leading 5-1. The match was decided in a thrilling final frame, which Gao won, extending White's 20-year wait to return to the Crucible.