Michal Szubarczyk, 15, makes snooker history after becoming the youngest winner of a World Snooker Championship match; this year’s tournament begins on April 18 and runs until May 4 at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield
Last Updated: 07/04/26 11:28am
Michal Szubarczyk of Poland made history in World Snooker Championship qualifying
Michal Szubarczyk became the youngest winner of a World Snooker Championship match in the first qualifying round.
Aged just 15 years, two months, and 25 days, the Polish prodigy beat the previous record that was set by Liam Davies in 2022 as he defeated Hong Kong star Ng On Yee 10-7 on day one of the World Championship qualifiers at the English Institute of Sport.
Three-time women’s world snooker champion, Ng, came into the match on a high after claiming wins on the women’s tour in February and March.
“I feel very proud,” Szubarczyk told the World Snooker Tour.
“I’m very excited to play the next match, and maybe this year or next year, I can become the youngest Crucible player.
“For me, it’s the first goal of every player in professional snooker [to play in the World Championship]. I’m enjoying the pressure. It doesn’t work in a bad way for me.
“I even like it, and I think that’s good. For the last six years, I have been dreaming about playing at the Crucible.
“I love representing Poland. Without the Polish events I wouldn’t be here, because I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play at European or World Championships.”
Szubarczyk has to win three more matches to become the youngest qualifier for the Crucible Theatre.
If he does, he will surpass the record held by Luca Brecel, who made his Crucible debut in 2012 aged 17 years and 45 days.
Jimmy White has not played at the World Championship since 2006
Six-time World Snooker Championship finalist Jimmy White bowed out in the first qualifying round to Gao Yang in agonising fashion.
The snooker legend, who turns 64 next month, established an early 5-1, but the 21 year-old from China battled back with the match decided in a final-frame thriller, won by Gao.
It means White’s 20-year wait to return to the Crucible continues – despite attempting to qualify every year.
