Szubarczyk, 15, breaks World Championship record

Michal Szubarczyk, a Polish teenager with a history of youth snooker triumphs, has set a new record by winning a World Championship match at just 15 years, two months, and 25 days old. The 15-year-old defeated former women’s world champion Onyee Ng 10-7 in the first qualifying round held in Sheffield, surpassing the previous record held by Wales’ Liam Davies, who was 15 years and 277 days old in 2022.

Szubarczyk previously made headlines as the youngest professional snooker player when he debuted at the age of 14 in June 2025. Now, he aims to challenge Luca Brecel’s record for the youngest player to reach the Crucible, which was set in 2012 when the Belgian was 17 years and 45 days old.

His journey to prominence continued in April 2025 when he reached the European Championship final, securing a place in the open-age category. Later that year, Szubarczyk claimed the World Amateur Championship title, further cementing his status as a rising star in the sport.

“I feel very proud and excited about the next matches. Maybe this year or next year I can become the youngest Crucible player,” Szubarczyk told the World Snooker Tour’s website. “For me, getting to the Crucible is the first goal of many others in professional snooker. I’m enjoying the pressure and expectation. I have been dreaming about playing in the World Championship for about the last six years.”

Szubarczyk will next face Sanderson Lam in the second of four qualifying rounds, marking another step in his quest to make history on the snooker stage.