Polish youngster Kowalski creates Crucible history after all-or-nothing qualifying win

Kowalski creates history in becoming the first player from Poland to qualify for the Crucible Theatre.

And in what is a huge double success for the 22-year-old, winning his final qualifying round match over Jamie Jones at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield also sees him keep his professional tour card for next season. Defeat would have meant relegation and a trip back to the Q School

The former world under-16 champion is competing in only his second term on snooker’s top flight. He has had modest results on the circuit as a whole, but did make the last 16 of the 2024 Snooker Shoot Out, and the last 32 of the British and World Opens held in 2025.

Arriving at the final event of the season as the world number 69, Kowalski had to begin his world championship campaign in the second of four qualifying rounds where he dispatched Connor Benzey 10-1, before ousting three-time ranking event finalist Joe O’Connor, 10-8, at the penultimate hurdle.

Against Jones, Kowalski faced a former world championship quarter-finalist who was aiming to reach the Crucible for the seventh time in his career.

Their opening session would be a very tight affair with Kowalski taking three frames on the final black, and one on the blue.

However, the Pole would be disappointed with how the session finished as Jones pocketed the final two frames - including the last one on the black - to close to within one frame at 5-4 down.

On resumption a little while later, Jones then deposited the opening two frames of the evening session to make it four in-a-row and go in front for the first time at 6-5.

But Kowalski responded well, putting together a four-frame sequence of his own to reach the hill first at 9-6 up.

Getting across the winning line wouldn’t be easy as Jones rallied with back-to-back frames for 9-8, but Kowalski - who spurned a decent chance in frame 17 - composed himself to record a 10-8 victory and Crucible qualification.

Following his historic win, an emotional Kowalski was interviewed by Rob Walker, and described what a huge win it was for his career: “The best explanation will be that I never cry, so that’s a perfect explanation of how much this means to me - I’m over the moon.

“This is the only time in history I’ll think more about saving my tour card other than playing in the theatre of dreams.

“So yeah, I don’t know what to say - there’s too many emotions in me right now!”

Unlike many ‘overseas’ professionals, Kowalski is not based in the UK, electing to travel over for events from his home in Poland. However, he does often stay in the UK to practice with top 16 star Chris Wakelin with whom he has struck up a close friendship with in recent times. Scottish Open champion Wakelin was in attendance at the EIS to watch him qualify.

Kowalski praised Wakelin, showing gratitude for the time he has given him: “He’s here by the way (Wakelin), he watched my match.

“I wish everyone a friend like Chris is to me. He’s helped me just with no reason, with nothing in return, and mainly because of him I’m that good of a player right now.”

The two could meet in the opening round at the Crucible with the random draw coming up on Thursday morning. The top 16 seeds will be pitched with the 16 qualifiers.

It was quite an evening for young snooker talent at the EIS, as Yorkshire duo Stan Moody and Liam Pullen - two players who have grown up together on the junior scene and played in finals against each other - both secured their Crucible bows.

Suffering with tonsilitis, Moody discharged himself from hospital the night before in order to play, despite staff advising him to stay in for further treatment. The 19-year-old will be the first British teenager since Judd Trump in 2007 to make their Crucible debut after he compiled a trio of centuries within the final three frames as he ousted fellow youngster Jiang Jun, 10-9.

This time last year, Pullen had just lost his professional tour card. But having graduated through Q School a few weeks later and making his first ranking event quarter-final at the Xi’an Grand Prix earlier this season, he has navigated all four rounds of qualifying in Sheffield this week to book a spot for snooker’s biggest party.

The 20-year-old eliminated former ranking event finalist Noppon Saengkham, 10-8, to stamp his main draw ticket.

During the match, Pullen nearly completed a maximum 147 break in frame five, but broke down on 105 when he missed the 14th black. The feat would have earned him a £147,000 bonus having already crafted one at the UK Championship qualifiers in November.

Matthew Stevens, David Gilbert, Zhou Yuelong, Pang Junxu and Hossein Vafaei were the other qualifiers to emerge from part one of Judgement Day.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 World Championship qualifying rounds, visit here.