The 14-year-old gunning for O'Sullivan's Crucible record
Michal Szubarczyk. Remember the name. The 14-year-old is hoping to make history this week by breaking Ronnie O'Sullivan's long-standing record to become the youngest player to qualify for the World Championships at the Crucible. The Pole has been making waves on the snooker circuit, winning the U16 and U18 European Championship titles in March.But the teenager really caught the eye by reaching the final of the open age event, which saw him beaten by 34-year-old Liam Highfield.That remarkable run was enough for Szubarczyk to be offered a two-year card offer on the World Snooker Tour (WST). His performances earned praise from three-time World Champion Mark Williams, who said the teenager is "not far away", external from the level of Ronnie O'Sullivan at the same age. But now Szubarczyk is aiming to break O'Sullivan's 33-year record by qualifying for the 2025 World Championships. Seven-time winner O'Sullivan is the youngest-ever qualifier at the Crucible, doing so at the age of 16 in 1992. With qualifying held months in advance of the tournament proper, he was then 17 years and five months old when he made his debut at the event, losing 10-7 to Alan McManus. 2023 Champion Luca Brecel holds the record for the youngest player at the Crucible's main event, playing at the age of 17 years and 45 days in 2012. Szubarczyk can comfortably beat both of those records as he heads into qualifying at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on 8 April, with final round matches being played on 15 April. The Pole faces Scotland's Dean Young in the first round, with the winner of the best-of-19-frames tie going through to face Stan Moody.The teenager needs to win four consecutive matches to earn a spot at the Crucible, But a victory against Young would see Szubarczyk become the youngest player to ever win a qualifying match at the World Championships, beating the record previously held by Liam Davies, who was 15 years and 277 days old when he beat Aaron Hill in 2022.
How qualifying works
144 players enter the qualifying event at the English Institute of Sport for the World Championships. They are hoping to secure one of the 16 places on offer at the 32-player tournament, with 16 players already automatically qualified via their ranking. There are four qualifying rounds and players begin their campaigns at different points defending on their world ranking.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
New-look Lionesses head to Switzerland looking to conquer Europe once again
The Lionesses are tasked with defending their first major title at this summer's European Championship, having lifted the trophy at Wembley and transformed women's football across the country. But four of Sarina Wiegman's unchanged starting line-up from 2022 have now retired. Ellen White hung up her boots shortly after, then Rachel Daly retired from international football in 2024. FIFA Best and Sports Personality of the Year-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps shockingly called time on her England career late last month, quickly followed by attacking midfielder Fran Kirby. Add an announcement from World Cup captain Millie Bright, who made herself unavailable for selection in order to address her physical and mental health, and some started to wonder if this could be a summer of struggle for England. But the Lionesses have brushed aside that speculation, insisting once again this is a 'new England' ahead of their title defence. Arsenal striker Russo has a bigger role to play this summer (Bradley Collyer/PA) While many of Wiegman's 13 2022 returnees – like Arsenal striker Alessia Russo and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – have significantly stepped up in responsibility, seven major tournament newcomers will also be looking to make their mark. Aggie Beever-Jones has enjoyed a breakout season at Chelsea, last month completing a hat-trick on her Wembley debut for England, while 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang – who has returned to Arsenal after a Brighton loan spell – scored 41 seconds into her maiden senior international appearance in April. Stalwarts like Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze – heading into her seventh major tournament and fourth consecutive Euros – will provide the experience. And while England may not be able to replicate the magic of that maiden trophy on home soil, winning one away from home would be another historic achievement. Wales have qualified for their first major tournament (Nick Potts/PA) Wales, meanwhile, qualified for their first major tournament after beating the Republic of Ireland in a dramatic 2-1 second-leg victory to win their play-off 3-2 on aggregate. Boss Rhian Wilkinson has used Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Wales' highest peak, as a metaphor for their mission in Switzerland. Wales are the lowest-ranked team in the Euros, drawn in a very difficult group with holders England, 2017 winners the Netherlands and 2022 semi-finalists France, but Wilkinson has insisted her side are not simply just happy to be included. CARFAN CYMRU 🏴 On the plane to #WEURO2025! ✈️🇨🇭 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 19, 2025 Speaking from the top of Yr Wyddfa, she said: 'As we've moved towards the Euros we've talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. 'Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.'
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
New-look Lionesses head to Switzerland looking to conquer Europe once again
The Lionesses are tasked with defending their first major title at this summer's European Championship, having lifted the trophy at Wembley and transformed women's football across the country. But four of Sarina Wiegman's unchanged starting line-up from 2022 have now retired. Squad photo: first club edition 😍#MadeForThisGame — Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 24, 2025 Ellen White hung up her boots shortly after, then Rachel Daly retired from international football in 2024. FIFA Best and Sports Personality of the Year-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps shockingly called time on her England career late last month, quickly followed by attacking midfielder Fran Kirby. Add an announcement from World Cup captain Millie Bright, who made herself unavailable for selection in order to address her physical and mental health, and some started to wonder if this could be a summer of struggle for England. But the Lionesses have brushed aside that speculation, insisting once again this is a 'new England' ahead of their title defence. While many of Wiegman's 13 2022 returnees – like Arsenal striker Alessia Russo and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – have significantly stepped up in responsibility, seven major tournament newcomers will also be looking to make their mark. Aggie Beever-Jones has enjoyed a breakout season at Chelsea, last month completing a hat-trick on her Wembley debut for England, while 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang – who has returned to Arsenal after a Brighton loan spell – scored 41 seconds into her maiden senior international appearance in April. Stalwarts like Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze – heading into her seventh major tournament and fourth consecutive Euros – will provide the experience. And while England may not be able to replicate the magic of that maiden trophy on home soil, winning one away from home would be another historic achievement. Wales, meanwhile, qualified for their first major tournament after beating the Republic of Ireland in a dramatic 2-1 second-leg victory to win their play-off 3-2 on aggregate. Boss Rhian Wilkinson has used Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Wales' highest peak, as a metaphor for their mission in Switzerland. Wales are the lowest-ranked team in the Euros, drawn in a very difficult group with holders England, 2017 winners the Netherlands and 2022 semi-finalists France, but Wilkinson has insisted her side are not simply just happy to be included. CARFAN CYMRU 🏴 On the plane to #WEURO2025! ✈️🇨🇭 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 19, 2025 Speaking from the top of Yr Wyddfa, she said: 'As we've moved towards the Euros we've talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. 'Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.'
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
New-look Lionesses head to Switzerland looking to conquer Europe once again
The Lionesses are tasked with defending their first major title at this summer's European Championship, having lifted the trophy at Wembley and transformed women's football across the country. But four of Sarina Wiegman's unchanged starting line-up from 2022 have now retired. Squad photo: first club edition 😍#MadeForThisGame — Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 24, 2025 Ellen White hung up her boots shortly after, then Rachel Daly retired from international football in 2024. FIFA Best and Sports Personality of the Year-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps shockingly called time on her England career late last month, quickly followed by attacking midfielder Fran Kirby. Add an announcement from World Cup captain Millie Bright, who made herself unavailable for selection in order to address her physical and mental health, and some started to wonder if this could be a summer of struggle for England. But the Lionesses have brushed aside that speculation, insisting once again this is a 'new England' ahead of their title defence. While many of Wiegman's 13 2022 returnees – like Arsenal striker Alessia Russo and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – have significantly stepped up in responsibility, seven major tournament newcomers will also be looking to make their mark. Aggie Beever-Jones has enjoyed a breakout season at Chelsea, last month completing a hat-trick on her Wembley debut for England, while 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang – who has returned to Arsenal after a Brighton loan spell – scored 41 seconds into her maiden senior international appearance in April. Stalwarts like Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze – heading into her seventh major tournament and fourth consecutive Euros – will provide the experience. And while England may not be able to replicate the magic of that maiden trophy on home soil, winning one away from home would be another historic achievement. Wales, meanwhile, qualified for their first major tournament after beating the Republic of Ireland in a dramatic 2-1 second-leg victory to win their play-off 3-2 on aggregate. Boss Rhian Wilkinson has used Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Wales' highest peak, as a metaphor for their mission in Switzerland. Wales are the lowest-ranked team in the Euros, drawn in a very difficult group with holders England, 2017 winners the Netherlands and 2022 semi-finalists France, but Wilkinson has insisted her side are not simply just happy to be included. CARFAN CYMRU 🏴 On the plane to #WEURO2025! ✈️🇨🇭 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 19, 2025 Speaking from the top of Yr Wyddfa, she said: 'As we've moved towards the Euros we've talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. 'Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.'
