14-Year-Old Snooker Prodigy Michał Szubarczyk Stuns Veteran Jimmy White at UK Championship
A remarkable upset at the UK Championship has seen 14-year-old Michał Szubarczyk of lublin, Poland, defeat snooker icon Jimmy White 6-2, a victory hailed as a “clash of generations” and a “lovely story” by industry observers. The win propels the young Polish player forward in the prestigious tournament, which has been continuously held since 1977 and ranks among the three most elite events in the annual snooker calendar.
Szubarczyk’s triumph over White, 49 years his senior, marks a stunning debut for the rising star. This victory, however, is just the first hurdle in his quest too reach the televised stages of the competition. In the second round, he faced a formidable challenge in the form of Jordan Brown, a player who, while lacking White’s extensive accolades, is a proven competitor capable of challenging the sport’s elite.
The story of Szubarczyk is nothing short of unusual. Just five years ago, in 2018, he was working at a gas station, seemingly worlds away from the professional snooker circuit. This rapid ascent underscores the unbelievable potential of the young player. Brown himself embodies a similar narrative of unexpected success, having won the Welsh Open in 2021 – his first ranking title – as the lowest-ranked player to do so in 28 years, even defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final.
Currently ranked approximately 100th, Szubarczyk is making his professional debut, while Brown occupies a position between sixth and seventh in the world rankings. this disparity highlights the magnitude of Szubarczyk’s achievement.
The match against Brown, which unfolded over Monday and Tuesday, proved to be a tense affair. Brown initially took the lead, winning the first frame, but Szubarczyk quickly responded, claiming the next two, including a frame decided on the black ball. The first session concluded with a 2-2 draw. Szubarczyk then broke the deadlock, extending his lead to 3-2 with a score of 67. He continued his momentum, building a two-frame advantage before Brown mounted a fierce comeback, clearing the table with a stunning 135-point break in the seventh frame.
Despite Brown’s resurgence, Szubarczyk remained composed, adding another frame to his tally.Brown responded with an impressive break of 88 points, bringing the score to 5-4. With the match closely contested and running late, play was temporarily suspended to accommodate the tournament schedule.
Resuming play shortly after midnight Polish time, the players engaged in a grueling 50-minute final session.Ultimately, Szubarczyk prevailed, securing a 6-4 victory and earning his place in the next round.
The young Pole faces a rapid turnaround, with his third-round qualifying match scheduled for Tuesday, November 25th, at 3:30 p.m. against Noppon Saengkham, currently ranked 35th in the world. Szubarczyk has previously faced Saengkham this season, losing 5-1 on October 7th.
The UK Championship 2025 also saw participation from other Polish players, though with less success. Sixteen-year-old Krzysztof Czapnik lost 6-2 to Liu Wenwei, antoni Kowalski was defeated 6-1 by Sam Craigie, and Mateusz Baranowski fell 6-2 to Robert Milkins. Baranowski,reflecting on his match,noted that despite the one-sided scoreline,he felt he had opportunities to win,losing crucial frames on the black and pink balls. He also acknowledged that a recent change in his equipment and technique had impacted his performance,stating,”I have to take a few steps back,but I still need some time,and then I will play much better than before.”
