Young Strathspey snooker prodigy takes step onto the international stage
A 13 year old snooker sensation from the strath has had his first taste of the sport on the big stage.
Elijah Versteeg has been taking part in the Junior European Snooker Championship in Antalya in Turkey representing Scotland at U-16 level.
He played three matches at the Pine Beach Belek Hotel claiming victory in one and losing out in the best of three frames to more experienced junior rivals.
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The Dulnain Bridge teen was handed a tough qualifying group int he draw with Switzerland’s Jenson Schmid, England’s Nicholas Ayers and Estonia’s Frank Ravoit.
He lost his two opening matches 2-0 but came very close to securing a frame against Ayers and then built on that with a great 2-0 victory of his own over Ravoit.
Elijah missed out on qualifying for the knock-out stages of the top 36 players with the U16 tournament now at the quarter-final stage.
He shot a highest competition break of 43 but also sunk a break of 138 in practice which put him in the very top bracket for that statistic.
Elijah told the Strathy: “It was a real honour to be selected and it has been an incredible experience.
“I have enjoyed playing and watching matches with some great players from across Europe.
“It has been incredibly inspiring and I hope I can come back and do it again.
“I also got to meet one of my heroes, Welsh player Mark Williams, as his son Joel was competing.”
He added: “I am so grateful to have this amazing opportunity.
“It is such a great experience to be part of and I really appreciate all the local support.”
Grantown-on-Spey Snooker and Billiards Club, The Friends of Dulnain Bridge and the Dulnain Bridge Community Council all helped him on his way to Turkey.
Elijah has been playing snooker seriously for two years and has won some local competitions as well as taking part in Scottish Snooker and Moray Snooker tournaments.
He was selected as he currently ranks in the top three under-16 players in Scotland.
The local teenager is ranked third in the country for his age group behind Adyan Iqbal and Azaan Iqbal.
Elijah claimed a hat-trick of wins in the annual Grantown and District Billiards and Snooker Club competitions last April aged just 12 years.
Club spokesman Bill Mitchell said at the time: “Elijah is just 12 years old and he has just got it.”
The European U16, U18, U21 & Main Snooker Championships are organised annually by the EBSA (European Billiards and Snooker Association) and held in a different European country each year.
The tournament runs until March 22 and includes the play-offs for the Q-Tour.
The first week belonga to the Under Age European Championships and the men’s event takes place during the second week and in-between the Q-Tour.
All the latest scores and more details on the European Snooker Championships are available at http://www.esnooker.pl/turnieje/2025/me16/en/index.php
