Talking points from the 2023 World Snooker Championship

Luca Brecel’s sensational march to the 2023 World Snooker Championship title in Sheffield concluded 17 days of significant shocks and sensational upstarts.

Early defeats for the likes of in-form Shaun Murphy and Judd Trump blasted open the seedings while up-and-comers like Brecel and Si Jiahui came of age.

Here we cast an eye over the highlights from another unforgettable fortnight and a bit at the Crucible.

Luca trooper

A superstar prospect who seemed destined not to fill his enormous early potential, Brecel has finally hurled himself among the elite. With a swashbuckling style that evokes former Crucible greats like Alex Higgins and Jimmy White, Brecel won the hearts of the Sheffield crowd during his irresistible march to his maiden title.

History for Belgium.

History for Snooker.

Luca Brecel becomes the first player from mainland Europe to lift the World Championship! 🇧🇪#CazooWorldChampionship | @CazooUK pic.twitter.com/YT1MePDlr2

— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) May 1, 2023

The Chinese are (still) coming

Out of the dark cloud of the match-fixing scandal that snared 10 of their compatriots emerged a new generation of Chinese talent, spearheaded by the extraordinary Si Jiahui. His run to the last four will remain an abiding memory of this tournament and, as one of four first-time Chinese qualifiers, the future of the sport in the east is evidently in good hands.