Luca Brecel first Belgian winner in full ranking snooker tournament
Luca Brecel has won the China Championship snooker. In doing so he is the first Belgian player to win a full ranking snooker tournament. With this victory Brecel also claims a place in the world's top sixteen.
The Belgian snooker talent Luca Brecel proved too strong for his English opponent Shaun Murphy in the final of the China Championship. It was the first time in his career that the 22-year-old Brecel had won a full ranking tournament. It is also the first time that a Belgian has been so successful. Brecel was well on track to win the China Championship during the quarter finals, when he managed to beat the living legend and five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Not only does Brecel return home with his winnings worth 164,000 euros, he also climbs up the world snooker ranking to fifteenth place. That is his highest position ever. If he manages to retain his place in the top sixteen until the end of April 2018, he will directly qualify for the World Championships in Sheffield. Brecel already aims to defend his position in early October during the European Masters in the Belgian town of Lommel. It is 23 years since Belgium organised its last full ranking snooker tournament.