15-Year-Old Michal 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. The Polish prodigy achieved this feat in the first qualifying round, surpassing the previous record held by Liam Davies in 2022. Szubarczyk defeated Hong Kong's Ng On Yee, a three-time women's world snooker champion, with a score of 10-7 at the English Institute of Sport. Ng had been on a winning streak, having claimed victories on the women's tour in February and March. 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.' He acknowledged the pressure but welcomed it, saying, 'I'm enjoying the pressure. It doesn't work in a bad way for me.' Szubarczyk's ultimate goal is to play in the World Championship, and he is grateful for the opportunities provided by Polish events, which have allowed him to compete in European and World Championships. To become the youngest qualifier for the Crucible Theatre, Szubarczyk needs to win three more matches, which would break the record currently 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 establishing an early 5-1 lead, White lost in a final-frame thriller, extending his 20-year wait to return to the Crucible.