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Hong Kong’s teen sensation snooker player Liu eyes pro status even if funding cut

Shaun Liu moved to England in 2023 to pursue a snooker career, and the 14-year-old is not going to abandon his dream

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Shaun Liu has his sights set on the professional ranks. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong teenager Shaun Liu Yu-sang has vowed to continue targeting a place on snooker’s elite circuit in the UK even if his sport has its funding cut in his hometown.

Liu, 14, has been on a fast track to the top for some time and this month again showed his precocious talent when he was narrowly beaten in the final of the English Under-18 Snooker Championship.

After his nail-biting 5-4 loss to Vladislav Gradinari of Moldova in the decider in Northampton, Liu set himself the goal of turning professional next year.

“I am practising hard for it and my target is to become a pro player when I am 16,” Liu said during a trip back to Hong Kong. “I still have more than a year – the earliest possible would be the start of the 2026-27 season.

Shaun Liu said he would soon need to adjust from playing for fun to prioritising results. Photo: Elson Li
Shaun Liu said he would soon need to adjust from playing for fun to prioritising results. Photo: Elson Li

“I started to think about this after I moved to England in early 2023. I have better chances there, with a lot more competitions, so I am getting closer with every improvement I have made.”

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