Snooker wonderkid Stan Moody discharges himself from hospital to book Crucible debut

Teenage snooker star Stan Moody will make his debut at the Crucible this month after discharging himself from hospital to win his final World Championship qualifier.

The 19-year-old, who is the highest ranked teenager on the professional tour, was hit with tonsilitis at the inopportune time of World Championship qualifying.
Ahead of his first match against Robbie Williams he was in bed for three days, describing it as ‘the worst he’s ever felt,’ but impressed in a 10-5 win.

He then played Chinese talent Jiang Jun on Judgement Day, but was in hospital the day before, with doctors advising against a return to the English Institute of Sport.

Instead they wanted Moody to stay in hospital, but there was no stopping the teenager on his quest for the Crucible, which he eventually completed with a century in the deciding frame of a 10-9 victory.

‘I were in hospital yesterday, I can hardly talk now with tonsilitis,’ Moody told WST after beating Jiang.

‘I’m happy.

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‘They said, “We know you’re going to say no but we want you to stay in.” I said, “No I’ve got a match to play tomorrow.” I’m glad I did it.

‘They give me some anitbiotis to take and some other meds.

I won’t be going back there.

‘I’ve been given a load of antibiotics, which are working slowly.

I’m on the mend.

I couldn’t even talk yesterday or eat or drink, so I’ve come a long way.’
It was a long slog through 19 frames against Jiang while he was under the weather and with both players trying to secure Crucible debuts, the pressure was immense.

The man known as The Action handled it beautifully, though, with two tons in the last three frames of the match.

‘I’m normally good under pressure but I’ve never felt pressure like it in my life.

I’m so happy,’ he said.

‘I’m just happy.

It’s been a dream of mine since I started playing.’
Moody – who has earned high praise from John Higgins of late – turned professional three years ago at just 16 but has made impressive progress up to number 44 in the world rankings.

This season has seen him reach his first two ranking quarter-finals and it will finish in ideal style with a first trip to play at the Crucible.

Moody has beaten the likes of Higgins, Kyren Wilson, Ding Junhui, Barry Hawkins and Ali Carter this season so fears no one.

Asked who he would like to be drawn against at the Crucible, he said: ‘I don’t mind.

Whoever.’