Record-Breakers and Historic Champions: Spring 2026 WPBSA International Round-Up

Around the World in Frames: Spring's National Championships Deliver Landmark Moments

From a seventh Belgian title to Finland's most decorated amateur adding yet another notch to an extraordinary career, the spring 2026 national championships have thrown up some genuinely remarkable stories. Whether you're a fan of the grassroots game or simply love the broader snooker landscape, this round-up has something to savour — and for those of us who follow the amateur circuit closely, there are a few names here worth keeping an eye on as the 2026/27 season approaches.

Belgium: Hanssens Makes History in Zele

The standout headline from the continental calendar belongs to Kevin Hanssens, who claimed a record seventh Belgian national snooker title with a dominant 6-1 victory over Jesse Schelfhaut in Zele. That result breaks outright what had previously been a three-way tie at the top — Hanssens, Bjorn Haneveer and Mario Lannoye had all won the title six times apiece. Now Hanssens stands alone.

It's worth remembering the pedigree of this competition. Luca Brecel, the 2023 World Champion and Belgium's most celebrated professional export, is a former winner. Hanssens first lifted the trophy back in 2016 and has now won it on six successive occasions — a streak of consistency that is simply staggering at any level of the sport. Don't be surprised if his name starts appearing in novelty markets for Belgian representation at future WSF events.

England: Carty Wins the World's Longest-Running Snooker Competition

The English Amateur Championship is not just a domestic title — it is snooker's longest-running competition, and its 105th staging was claimed by Ashley Carty, who swept past Vladislav Gradinari 6-0 in the final at Landywood Snooker Club. That scoreline tells its own story; Carty was in imperious form throughout the later rounds, having also beaten Peter Lines, Oliver Sykes and Jeff Cundy on the way to the decider.

The timing couldn't be better for Carty. He has already secured a two-year WST tour card from the start of the 2026/27 season, meaning this title crowns what has been a genuinely impressive season on the amateur circuit. The English Amateur roll of honour features multiple former world champions, and Carty has now etched his name alongside them. One to watch at the Q School and early-season ranking events — his current form suggests he won't be a journeyman on tour.

Channel Islands: Shorto Ends an 11-Year Wait

Adam Shorto produced arguably the most emotionally resonant result of the spring, defeating former World Seniors champion Aaron Canavan to win the Channel Islands Championship for the third time — and for the first time since 2014. That's an 11-year gap between titles, which in amateur snooker terms is practically a generation.

The context makes the win even sweeter. Canavan came into the final aiming for a fifth consecutive title and a 13th overall — numbers that underline just how formidable an opponent Shorto had to overcome. The match doubled as a cross-island derby, with Shorto representing Guernsey and Canavan carrying the Jersey banner. Credit to Shorto for stepping up when it mattered most.

Finland: Hull Reaches 17 and Counting

If longevity in sport fascinates you, pay attention to Robin Hull. The former WST Shoot Out champion claimed his record-extending 17th Finnish national title in Valkeakoski, beating Antti Mannila 4-1 in the final. The event drew 80 entries, and still Hull — Finland's greatest ever player by any reasonable measure — came through the field without being seriously troubled.

Seventeen national titles. Let that sink in. Hull occupies a place in Finnish snooker folklore that is unlikely to be challenged in our lifetimes, and each successive victory only cements that legacy further.

Malta: Busuttil Comes From Behind to Dethrone Cini

The Malta national championship produced the most dramatic finale of the spring. Aaron Busuttil trailed Brian Cini 5-4 overnight in a best-of-19 frame final, but came back strongly on the second day to win 10-6 and claim his third national title. The rivalry between these two has defined Maltese snooker in recent years — all six of the last finals have featured the same pairing, with WSF Championship finalist Cini having taken the honours in 2025. This year, Busuttil had the last word.

Czech Republic: Herout's Eighth Crown

Aleš Herout continued his reign as the Czech Republic's dominant force, defeating Rosta Bovonenko 5-2 to secure his eighth national championship. Bovonenko contributed the tournament's highest break of 83 in a spirited showing, but the Czech number one had too much quality across the match. Third place was shared by Dan Milý and Jiří Stehlík.

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