China’s 22-year-old snooker sensation Wu Yize clinched the 2026 World Snooker Championship title at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, on May 4, local time. He narrowly defeated England’s formidable player Shaun Murphy with a thrilling 18-17 victory, becoming the first champion born after 2000 in the history of the event. This historic win at snooker’s most prestigious venue marks a new era for the sport.
Wu Yize’s journey to the championship is widely regarded as one of the most challenging and high-quality in recent years. Throughout the tournament, he defeated two former world champions and successfully overturned multiple seemingly impossible deficits.
In the first round, Wu easily dispatched his compatriot Lei Peifan with a 10-2 score. The second round saw him edge past four-time world champion Mark Selby with a hard-fought 13-11 victory. In the quarter-finals, he overcame Iranian player Hossein Vafaei, who had previously ousted the world number one, with a 13-8 win. The semi-final was a particularly tense battle against Northern Ireland’s strong contender Mark Allen. Trailing 14-16, Wu Yize demonstrated remarkable resilience, winning three consecutive frames to claim a stunning 17-16 comeback victory. In the final, facing the vastly experienced Shaun Murphy, the match went down to a decisive frame, where Wu held his nerve to land the winning blow and make history.
Technically, Wu Yize possesses both offensive flair and defensive solidity. As a young player, his extraordinary mental fortitude is his standout attribute. He repeatedly turned the tide in tight and losing situations, displaying composure and execution far beyond his years.
After his dramatic semi-final comeback against Allen, Wu said, “This was one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played. The long format tests your patience and mindset. I told myself every frame starts from zero.” Upon winning the final, he could not hide his excitement in an interview. “It was my belief that carried me through. I have always dreamed of being world champion. No one wanted it more than me this time. I was willing to give everything to get it.”
Born in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, Wu Yize started playing pool at the age of seven and began systematic training at 13. He won the IBSF World Under-21 Snooker Championship in 2018 and moved to the UK to train when he was just 16. After turning professional in 2021, he steadily improved his game, securing his first ranking event title in 2025. In 2026, he reached the World Championship final for the first time and immediately claimed the top prize. In just a few short years, he completed a remarkable transformation from a promising newcomer to a world-class elite player.
Following Wu’s victory, Chinese snooker stars Zhao Xintong and Ding Junhui both congratulated him on social media, with messages like “This is Chinese snooker” and “So happy for you, and proud of how far Chinese snooker has come.” From Ding Junhui to Zhao Xintong, and now to Wu Yize, the generational torch of Chinese snooker is being passed on at an accelerating pace. Compared to previous generations, players of Wu Yize’s era have started systematic training earlier, adapted to the professional environment sooner, and are realizing their talent on the biggest stage faster. This year’s World Championship featured a record 11 Chinese players in the main draw of 32, highlighting the depth of talent in the country. Wu Yize emerged as the standout player from this rich pool.
With Zhao Xintong winning the title one year ago and Wu Yize following suit a year later, Chinese players have now topped the Crucible for two consecutive years. Between those two trophies, the entire Chinese snooker system has risen to the forefront of the sport’s global landscape.
