In a stunning upset, 22-year-old Chinese snooker player Wu Yize clinched the World Snooker Championship title on May 5, defeating England’s Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a thrilling final. This victory makes Wu the first post-2000s player to win the championship and the second youngest ever. It marks the second consecutive year a Chinese player has won the title, following Zhao Xintong’s triumph in 2025.
Wu’s journey to the top is a story of immense sacrifice. At age seven, he showed natural talent, prompting his father to knock down a wall in their home to set up a practice table. His parents sold their house and antique shop, with his mother staying in Lanzhou to work while his father took Wu to Ding Junhui’s snooker academy in Dongguan. To afford training, his father worked multiple jobs: factory work, night driving, and unloading trucks at dawn. In 2019, they moved to Sheffield, England, living in a dark basement apartment while his father worked odd jobs to support Wu’s dream.
In the final, Wu faced experienced veteran Shaun Murphy. After two days and four sessions, the score was tied 17-17. In the deciding frame, Wu chose a risky offensive shot rather than playing safe. His boldness paid off, securing the victory.
Ding Junhui, a legend of Chinese snooker, congratulated Wu on social media: “Congratulations to Wu Yize for winning the 2026 World Snooker Championship! I’m proud of you and of Chinese snooker. From Zhao Xintong to Wu Yize, Chinese players have stood atop the world for two years in a row. This isn’t just a breakthrough—it’s our era arriving!”
China’s rise in snooker comes after years of development. While the sport was once dominated by British players and even considered dying in the UK, China has revitalized it. Over 70% of the world’s snooker tables, cues, and cloth are now made in China. Professional training academies have replaced the old apprenticeship system, and China hosts more international snooker events than any other country. Live-streaming snooker coaching has also become a lucrative business.
Currently, five Chinese players rank in the world’s top 16: Zhao Xintong, Xiao Guodong, Wu Yize, Si Jiahui, and Ding Junhui. With young talent emerging, the era of Chinese snooker dominance is well underway.