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

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 on the first day of the World Championship qualifiers 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 that he is looking forward to his next match and hopes to become the youngest player to compete at the Crucible Theatre. He also acknowledged the importance of representing Poland and the role that Polish events have played in his career. To become the youngest qualifier for the Crucible, Szubarczyk must win three more matches, which would break the record currently held by Luca Brecel. Meanwhile, six-time World Snooker Championship finalist Jimmy White was eliminated in the first qualifying round by 21-year-old Gao Yang from China, despite having established an early lead. White's 20-year wait to return to the Crucible continues, as he has attempted to qualify every year.