15-year-old Szubarczyk Becomes Youngest World Championship Match Winner

Poland's Michal Szubarczyk has become the youngest player to win a World Snooker Championship match after defeating Hong Kong star Ng On Yee 10-7 in the first qualifying round at the English Institute of Sport. At 15 years, two months and 25 days, Szubarczyk eclipsed the previous record set by Liam Davies in 2022.

Ng, a three-time women's world champion who had been enjoying strong form with recent wins on the women's tour in February and March, pushed hard but could not stop the teenager on day one of qualifying.

Szubarczyk said he was proud and excited by the result and is already looking ahead. He hopes to reach the Crucible Theatre soon, saying that playing at the Crucible is every professional snooker player's first major goal and that he thrives under pressure. He credited Polish events for giving him the pathway to European and World Championships and said he has dreamed of a Crucible debut for the past six years.

The youngster needs three more wins to become the youngest qualifier for the Crucible and would break Luca Brecel's mark; Brecel made his Crucible debut in 2012 at 17 years and 45 days. This year's World Championship takes place from April 18 to May 4 at the Crucible in Sheffield.

In other qualifying action, six-time World Championship finalist Jimmy White was eliminated in the first round by Gao Yang. White, who will turn 64 next month, led 5-1 early but 21-year-old Gao mounted a comeback to win in a final-frame decider, prolonging White's long quest to return to the Crucible despite annual attempts.