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

At just 15 years, two months, and 25 days old, Polish sensation Michal Szubarczyk has become the youngest player to win a World Snooker Championship match, achieving this feat in the first qualifying round. Szubarczyk broke the previous record held by Liam Davies, which was set in 2022, by defeating Hong Kong's Ng On Yee 10-7 on the opening day of the World Championship qualifiers at the English Institute of Sport. Ng, a three-time women's world snooker champion, had been in top form, having secured wins on the women's tour in February and March. Following his victory, 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 his dream of playing at the Crucible, Szubarczyk must win three more matches, which would also allow him to 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 thrilling match, six-time World Snooker Championship finalist Jimmy White was knocked out 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 final-frame thriller, which Gao won, prolonging White's 20-year wait to return to the Crucible.