Record! 11 to World Snooker Championship

In the early morning of April 16 Beijing time, the judgement round of the 2026 World Snooker Championship qualifiers came to an end, with He Guoqiang, Fan Zhengyi, Lei Peifan and Zhang Anda all prevailing to secure their tickets to the Crucible Theatre. Together with Zhou Yuelong and Pang Junxu, who had booked their places a day earlier, as well as defending champion Zhao Xintong, Ding Junhui, Xiao Guodong, Si Jiahui and Wu Yize—who qualified automatically—China will send 11 players to the upcoming World Championship, setting a new record for the number of Chinese participants.  

On the first day of the judgement round, Zhou Yuelong and Pang Junxu had already clinched their spots. On the second day, several more Chinese players took to the tables. The matches remained a best-of-19 format (winning 10 frames), with the victors advancing to the 32-player main draw.  

He Guoqiang fired a 138 and a 57, while Jack Lisowski made four half-centuries. He led 6–3 after the first session and went on to win 10–5, fulfilling his dream of reaching the Crucible.  

Fan Zhengyi faced Ben Mertens and produced three centuries (104, 119, 100) plus five more breaks over 50. He won five consecutive frames in the second session to seal a 10–4 victory and a main-draw berth.  

Lei Peifan took on Welsh veteran Ryan Day, knocking in six half-centuries (64, 65, 51, 52, 56, 73) en route to a 10–5 win, also booking his place at the Crucible.  

Zhang Anda, a pillar of Chinese snooker, smashed five centuries (109, 105, 134, 108, 143) and four more 50+ breaks, thrashing Zak Surety 10–3 to qualify.  

Unfortunately, Xu Si made three centuries (114, 104, 100) and a 61, but Gary Wilson matched him with three tons (136, 136, 126) and six half-centuries (68, 80, 81, 55, 56, 66). Xu Si lost 9–10 and missed out on the main draw.  

With the judgement round concluded, the Chinese contingent has reaped a rich harvest: Zhou Yuelong, Pang Junxu, He Guoqiang, Fan Zhengyi, Lei Peifan and Zhang Anda—six players in total—advanced through qualifying. Adding Zhao Xintong, Ding Junhui, Xiao Guodong, Si Jiahui and Wu Yize, who entered as seeds, China will have a record 11 players assembling at the Crucible. The 2026 World Snooker Championship main event will run from April 18 to May 5.