Wu Yize, a 22-year-old snooker sensation from China, etched his name in history by defeating England’s Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a thrilling final at the Crucible Theatre to claim the 2026 World Snooker Championship. The young star showcased remarkable resilience, bouncing back from a 12-10 deficit after leading 10-7, leveling at 17-17, and ultimately prevailing in a tense decider. His victory not only secured the prestigious title but also set a series of groundbreaking records.
First, Wu Yize became the first champion born in the 2000s in World Championship history. Second, he is the second Chinese player to win the tournament, following Zhao Xintong. Third, at 22 years and 202 days, he is the second-youngest world champion ever, trailing only Stephen Hendry (21). Fourth, he helped China achieve back-to-back World Championship titles for the first time. Fifth, his world ranking jumped from 10th to a career-best 4th.
Wu Yize earned £500,000 in prize money, approximately 4.7 million RMB, boosting his season earnings to £860,000, the highest on the tour.
His path to glory was laden with top-tier victories. In the second round, he defeated four-time champion Mark Selby 13-11. In the semifinals, he saved two match points while trailing 16-14 to stage a 17-16 comeback against Mark Allen. In the final, he edged out Shaun Murphy 18-17.
Born on October 14, 2003, in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, Wu Yize began playing snooker at age seven and quickly showed immense talent. At 14, he won the China Youth Snooker Open (U19) and the World Youth Under-21 Championship. To further hone his skills, he moved to the UK at 16, living with his father in a cramped apartment with just one bed. His mother worked at a furniture store in Lanzhou to support the family.
After his victory, Wu Yize draped himself in the Chinese flag and celebrated with his parents, saying emotionally, “I would give everything to get this. Thank you, Mom and Dad. They are the real champions. Since I left school, they have never left my side. They are my eternal spiritual strength.” When asked about his celebration plans, he replied, “I just want to sleep well. I’ve been anxious since the second stage of the tournament.”
This was Wu Yize’s third World Championship appearance, having lost in the first round in his previous two tries. Remarkably, in February 2026, snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan predicted that Wu Yize would become world number one within three years and win the World Championship soon, calling him a “phenomenal player” and a “modern-day Steve Davis.” Davis won six world titles and was the first player to achieve a career Grand Slam. Wu Yize fulfilled one of those predictions in just three months.
Following his victory, Chinese snooker star Ding Junhui sent congratulations: “Congratulations to Wu Yize on winning the 2026 World Snooker Championship! I’m happy for you and proud of how far Chinese snooker has come. From Zhao Xintong to Wu Yize, Chinese players have stood on the highest podium at the World Championship for two consecutive years. This isn’t just a breakthrough—it’s the arrival of our era.”
