World Snooker Championship 2026: Rising teenage star Stan Moody earns Crucible debut after discharging himself from hospital
Published 15/04/2026 at 16:33 GMT+1
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Stan Moody clinched an incredible 10-9 win over Jiang Jun to earn his debut at the World Snooker Championship, just a day after discharging himself from hospital.
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The 19-year-old was in hospital the night before his match with China's Jun on Tuesday, struggling with tonsillitis.
Moody had beaten Robbie Williams in his first qualifying match on Sunday, only to spend the following day in hospital, with the chance of playing at the Crucible as a teenager seemingly slipping through his grasp.
The Halifax-born cueist made the bold decision to discharge himself, and beat Jiang to book his place at the World Snooker Championship.
In doing so, the rising star will be the first British teenager to play at the Crucible since Judd Trump in 2007.
"The doctors said to me 'we know you are going to say no but we want you to stay in.' I said no, I've got a match to play. And I'm glad I did," Moody explained.
He played through his discomfort, and made a stellar comeback from 6-5 down to pick up a 10-9 win.
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Moody racked up breaks of 71, 70, 113 and 127 to go 9-8 ahead. Despite missing the chance to win in the 18th frame, he hit 104 in the decider to cap off a whirlwind 24 hours.
Moody continued: "They gave me some antibiotics and other medication. I won't be going back there, I don't like it!
"Towards the end of the match, I have never felt pressure like that in my life, I am just so happy. This has been a dream of mine since I started playing."
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Moody will not be the only rising young star competing at the Crucible this year, with compatriot Liam Pullen and Poland's Antoni Kowalski forming a trio of promising young players at this year's tournament.
Pullen clinched a 10-8 win against Noppon Saengkham to secure his place at the Crucible.
The 20-year-old from York hit breaks of 131 and 105 against the Thai player, but admitted that Moody's win had put the pressure on him to win his own qualifying match.
"When I saw Stan win, I thought I better not lose now, I'll let everyone down!" said Pullen, who previously lost to Moody in the final of the WSF Junior Championship in 2023.
"I am very proud. I appreciate everyone who has helped me along the way. When it went from 8-5 to 8-8 In didn't feel great, but I hung in there."
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Kowalski, the oldest of the trio at 22, was emotional after winning the biggest match of his life and earning his Crucible debut.
The Pole was in tears following a 10-8 win over Jamie Jones, which confirmed he will be the first Polish player to make it to the World Snooker Championship.
His win also secured his place on the tour and avoided relegation, with Allan Taylor losing his pro status.
"The best explanation of how much this means to me is that I never usually cry!" said Kowalski.
"This is the only time I will think more about saving my tour card rather than playing at the Crucible. There are so many emotions for me now. It's so special for an overseas player like me.
"My parents and girlfriend are going to come to the Crucible as well so that's going to be amazing, I can't wait."
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How to watch the World Snooker Championship
You can watch every day of the World Championship live on TNT Sports.
It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.
The tournament will run from Saturday, April 18 to Monday, May 4 at the Crucible in Sheffield.
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