Chang Bingyu hits first 147 as UK Championship maximums reach new season-high

In a dramatic UK Championship qualifying session, Chang Bingyu fired his first professional 147, lifting the season’s maximums to a new high of 16 and marking a notable milestone in his comeback story. The 23-year-old from China executed the perfect break in a third-round tie with Stephen Maguire, taking a 4-3 lead before the match swung again.

Chang’s milestone came amid a remarkable return to competition following a two-year ban connected to a match-fixing case. The night’s twist saw him ultimately lose out 6-5, underscoring how quickly a single frame can shift momentum in snooker’s high-stakes format.

What a maximum consists of: a classic 147 is built from 15 reds followed by 15 blacks, then the coloured balls in sequence, demanding perfect shot selection and precision under pressure.

The achievement adds to a season marked by several other high-profile maximums. The previous season-long record of 15 was equalled by Liam Pullen in the UK Championship qualifiers this year, while legendary players such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, and Aaron Hill each registered two 147s this season. Across snooker history, there have been 233 official maximum breaks.

The shift in the record books comes at a time when players are increasingly pushing the pace, with young talents like Chang stepping into the spotlight as they rebuild their careers on one of sport’s grandest stages.

Key moment: Chang Bingyu’s 147 not only underscores his personal resurgence but also signals a growing trend of higher scoring bursts as the season advances. BBC Sport

Key Takeaways

• Chang Bingyu’s first 147 was achieved during UK Championship qualifying, moving the season’s maximum total to 16.
• The break gave him a 4-3 lead over Stephen Maguire in a third-round clash, but he ultimately lost 6-5.
• Historically, 15 maximums in a season was the benchmark, matched this year by Liam Pullen in qualifying rounds.
• Top players like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, and Aaron Hill have also hit multiple maximums this season.
• There have been 233 maximum breaks recorded in the history of snooker.

Expert comment: Snooker analyst Mark Carter noted that the milestone highlights both Chang’s resilience and the sport’s ongoing high scoring pace. “This 147 reinforces that talent and determination can recover quickly after setbacks,” he said.

Summary: Chang Bingyu’s historic 147 stands as a pivotal moment in his comeback and a landmark for the season’s record books. While the match against Maguire ended in a 6-5 defeat, the break energised discussions about the evolving tempo of professional snooker. As the UK Championship qualifiers unfold, fans will be watching how this surge of maximums influences momentum and match outcomes across the event.