Poomjaeng Defeats Valiant Mink

Thailand’s Mink Nutcharut became the first female player to craft a century break in the Cazoo World Championship for 21 years, but succumbed to a narrow 10-7 defeat against compatriot Dechawat Poomjaeng at qualifying in Sheffield.

Poomjaeng earned a return to the professional circuit through Asia-Oceania Q School last year. One of his career highlights saw him make the last 16 of the 2013 World Championship. He faces Matthew Stevens in the second round of this year’s event.

Mink is currently competing in her debut season on the World Snooker Tour, having won the Women’s World Championship in 2022. She enjoyed a golden moment by capturing the maiden World Mixed Doubles title alongside Neil Robertson earlier in the campaign.

Poomjaeng had led 7-3 this evening, but breaks of 73 and 100 helped Mink to claw her way back to 8-7 behind. The last century run made by a woman in the World Championship was composed by Kelly Fisher in 2002.

Despite that rally, Poomjaeng regained his control of proceedings and took the next two frames to emerge a 10-7 victor.

Elsewhere, current Women’s World Champion Baipat Siripaporn succumbed to a 10-3 defeat against Ireland’s Aaron Hill and women’s world number four Rebecca Kenna went out 10-3 to Alfie Burden.

Hill will now face a tough assignment against Michael White in round two, while Burden plays Swiss number one Alexander Ursenbacher.