Sports06 April, 20261 min read
Michal Szubarczyk Becomes Youngest Winner of World Snooker Championship Match
Poland's Michal Szubarczyk, 15, became youngest World Championship match winner after defeating Onyee Ng 10-7. Surpassed Liam Davies's 2022 record of 15 years 277 days.
Record-Breaking Victory
Fifteen-year-old Szubarczyk became the youngest player ever to win a World Snooker Championship match. He defeated former women's world champion Onyee Ng 10-7 in qualifying. Szubarczyk was 15 years, two months and 25 days old, breaking the previous record set by Liam Davies in 2022.
He produced breaks of 69, 52 and 74, taking an early 3-0 lead before Ng fought back to 3-3. Szubarczyk then pulled away with a five-frame burst to lead 8-3.
Ng won four of the next five before Szubarczyk held his nerve to close out the match 10-7. He told the World Snooker Tour he might become the youngest Crucible player this or next year.
Rising Star and Ambitions
Szubarczyk became the youngest ever professional snooker player at age 14. He rose to prominence when he reached the European Championship final and won the World Amateur Championship. He now aims to break Luca Brecel's record as youngest player at the Crucible.
Three-time world champion Mark Williams lauded Szubarczyk. O'Sullivan donated £1,000 to help fund the teenager's family's trip to Sheffield. Szubarczyk said he loves representing Poland.
Next Steps
Szubarczyk will face Sanderson Lam in the second of four qualifying rounds. Qualifying is described as the gateway to snooker’s most prestigious event. The Crucible Theatre tournament starts on April 18.
Szubarczyk has set the youth ranks alight with Under-16 and Under-18 European titles. He is Poland's biggest snooker hope.