Overview
- Vafaei, who edged world No. 1 Judd Trump 13-12 in a final-frame decider on Monday, reached his first World Championship quarterfinal.
- The 32nd-ranked Iranian came through qualifying, then thrashed former semifinalist Si Jiahui 10-3 in the first round at the Crucible in Sheffield.
- He faces China’s Wu Yize in a quarterfinal that starts Tuesday.
- He says the war in Iran left him "all over the place" mentally and that worry for his family made it hard to focus on snooker.
- Vafaei, known as the "Prince of Persia," says he chose to "fight for my people" and hopes his run brings some joy to Iranians.