World Snooker Championship 2025: Chris Wakelin Wins, Mark Allen Wows, and a Birthday Fan Hits the Jackpot

Chris Wakelin continued his outstanding run of form to become the first player into the quarterfinals of the 2025 World Snooker Championship – and did so by producing arguably the best snooker of his career.

The 33-year-old cruised to a 13-6 victory over one of the sport’s most gritty and consistent performers in Mark Allen, underlining his underdog credentials in the race for the Crucible crown.

Wakelin had never previously won a match at the famous Sheffield venue but kicked off his campaign with a stunning win over 2010 world champion Neil Robertson and has now backed it up with a performance full of composure and confidence.

A Moment of Magic in Defeat 

Allen, meanwhile, will leave disappointed with his overall performance, but takes home a piece of history – and a healthy slice of prize money – thanks to a moment of magic in the second session.

Trailing 10-2 at the time, the Northern Irishman sprang to life and compiled a magnificent 147, the first of his Crucible career. It was only the 15th maximum ever made at the venue and saw Allen become just the 11th player to achieve the feat.

In doing so, he also became the first player in history to compile a 147 at all three Triple Crown events – the World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters.

The maximum earned Allen a £40,000 bonus from World Snooker Tour and a share of the £15,000 high break prize, which he currently splits with Jackson Page, who memorably made two 147s during the qualifying stages.

Allen even had a golden opportunity to join Page in achieving a second 147 in frame 18, but broke down on 81. 

Cash Bonuses and Missed Chances

Had he completed the feat, he would have pocketed a staggering £147,000 cash bonus as part of a WST initiative to reward players who produce two 147s across the four premier events – the World Championship, UK Championship, Masters, and Saudi Arabia Masters.

So far, only Page has claimed the prize, while Shaun Murphy – still in the tournament and with one 147 to his name – remains in with a chance of matching the Welshman.

Reflecting on the achievement, Allen said: “It was obviously very dramatic, and to win someone in the crowd £25,000 is great as well, it was great buzz. And then lead onto tonight where I had another chance and that would’ve been £147,00. That was an amazing buzz and obviously fell short.”

“I felt like I had to do that sort of thing just to get the crowd on my side. Everyone loves an underdog at the end of the day, and they were cheering me, trying to get me back in the match.”

Not Enough Pressure to Unsettle Wakelin 

Allen admitted his 147 seemed to unnerve Wakelin slightly, but rued not being close enough in the scoreline to really mount a comeback.

“I thought like if I can even just reach the interval at 12-8, Chris might start thinking a little bit, and he missed a few in the last frame that he hadn’t missed in the match.”

“That was even more disappointing from my point, that he sort of got clinchers disease as he did a little bit against Robbo [Neil Robertson] in the previous round. He sort of fell over the line there, but I just didn’t make it close enough unfortunately.”

£25k Birthday Surprise

While Allen won’t progress, his maximum break had a dream ending for one lucky fan. Through an initiative by tournament sponsors Midnite, £25,000 is awarded to a randomly selected spectator in the arena when a 147 is made.

That fan was Brian Nicholls, attending his very first session at the Crucible thanks to tickets gifted by his son for his 75th birthday. A lifelong snooker fan, Nicholls was understandably emotional and said he plans to spend the money on a luxury cruise with his wife – and joked he might even invite Allen along.

When told about Nicholls’ plan, Allen was quick to respond with a smile.

“I’ll just take the money if that’s alright,” he joked.

“Fair play to him. I know that his son bought him the tickets for his 75th birthday last year and out of all the sessions to come to, and for him to be picked out of the draw. First and foremost, very fortunate.”

“Then for me to make a max, especially in the manner that I’ve done it. He can enjoy every bit of it, he deserves it.”

Wakelin will now prepare for his maiden Crucible quarter final as he continues to ride the wave of confidence that has carried him this far. But it was Allen’s historic maximum that stole the headlines on a memorable day in Sheffield.