Anton Kazakov has won the 2022 WSF Junior Championship following a 5-3 defeat of Jake Crofts at the Ding Junhui Snooker Academy in Sheffield on Friday.
The World Snooker Federation tournament saw over 60 of the world’s most promising junior talents battle it out for the title, with a two-year professional tour card on offer to the champion.
Having eased through his group to the loss of just one frame, Anton Kazakov claimed an impressive run of victories that included an unusual trio of triumphs over players named Liam – Pullen, Graham, and Davies.
Awaiting the former Ukrainian national champion in the final was a young competitor competing far closer to home in Jake Crofts.
From Sheffield, Crofts was competing in his first international competition having previously participated in national events on the English junior tours.
The opening four frames of the title decider were shared as the pair of teenagers went into the interval all-square.
However, the match statistics favoured Kazakov, who enjoyed a significantly higher pot success rate and potted a greater number of balls than his opponent.
The 17 year-old would ultimately make such an advantage tell by claiming three of the following four frames to secure the title and a place on the professional circuit from the start of next season.
Anton Kazakov was later presented with both the trophy and the formal offer of his World Snooker Tour card by WSF President Jason Ferguson.
Former WSF Open finalist and countryman Iulian Boiko was among those in attendance to celebrate a landmark victory.
The snooker continues in Sheffield with the start of the flagship WSF Championship on Saturday, and an incredible field of over 250 players set to battle for the second professional tour card on offer this week.
Featured photo credit: WSF
