"Are You Here to Play? I'm a Pro" 34-Month-Old Billiards Prodigy Becomes Double Guinness World Record Holder

Started Billiards at Age Two
Achieved Records in Snooker

A two-year-old billiards prodigy from the United Kingdom has become a double Guinness World Record holder by successfully executing advanced techniques in snooker.

On January 27 (local time), Guinness World Records announced that Jude Owens, who lives in Manchester, United Kingdom, set the youngest-ever record for a "pool bank shot" at the age of 2 years and 302 days on October 12 last year. A pool bank shot is a technique in which the cue ball strikes one or more cushions (rails) before pocketing another ball.

Jude Owens, the billiards prodigy from the United Kingdom. Guinness World Records official website

Previously, at 2 years and 261 days old, Jude set the youngest-ever record in the snooker double pot category by successfully executing the technique. The double pot is a highly advanced move in which the cue ball is used to pocket two balls into different pockets with a single shot.

Jude was first introduced to snooker around the age of two, playing on a mini billiards table his father bought for him. Jude's father, Luke, said he recognized his son's talent from the very first time he hit a ball. "I could tell by the way Jude naturally moved the cue between his fingers," he recalled. "It just looked so effortless."

Still much shorter than a billiards cue, Jude uses a step stool to play on a full-sized snooker table for adults. Luke explained, "At first, we had to bring a bar stool wherever we went," adding, "Later, we repurposed a kitchen step stool exclusively for snooker."

Jude's favorite shot is the "trick shot." According to Guinness, Jude is already proficient in advanced techniques such as the floating bridge shot and using the rest (auxiliary cue) for potting. Jude is also the youngest sponsored player in snooker history and participated in a special workout event at last year's UK Snooker Championship. Professional snooker players such as Jimmy White, John Parrott, and Kyren Wilson, who met Jude, were all amazed by his skills.

Luke commented, "Jude has achieved an unbelievable amount in such a short time," adding, "Setting not just one but two world records is the greatest accomplishment of our lives." When asked who he thought would win in a snooker match between himself and his father, Jude confidently replied, "I will win." His father responded, "I win for now, but I think Jude will easily beat me within a few years."

Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, stated, "Setting records has nothing to do with age," and added, "Watching such a young child demonstrate this level of skill, passion, and determination, as Jude does, is an extraordinary experience."