Wu Yize has won the World Snooker Championship at just 22 years old, defeating Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a dramatic final to claim the trophy and a £500,000 prize. The victory continues an exciting trend of major tournament winners from China, following Zhao Xintong's triumph in 2025.
Ding Junhui Praises Wu Yize
Ding Junhui, a legendary figure in Chinese snooker, paid tribute to Wu Yize for ushering in the "dawn of an era" for the sport in China. Posting on Weibo, the 39-year-old wrote: "I am happy for you, and I am also proud of how far Chinese snooker has come. From Zhao Xintong to Wu Yize, for two consecutive years, Chinese players have stood atop the podium at the World Championships. This is not just a breakthrough, but the dawn of our era!"
Only three Chinese players have ever reached a final at the Crucible: Ding in 2016, Zhao in 2025, and now Wu. Ding was the first Asian star to do so but lost to Mark Selby. Wu's victory marks the second consecutive Chinese winner, after Zhao became the first Chinese champion and first non-British winner since Belgium's Luca Brecel in 2023.
Wu Yize's Emotional Victory
Wu opened up about his feelings following the remarkable win, admitting his family were instrumental in his success. "I have been trying to go for this for ages," he said. "For the past few months, I have been living the same life. I am so happy that I could play well today. Since I made the decision to drop out of school, my dad has been by my side. My mum has also been going through a lot over the years. They are the source of my strength, I love them so much."
The young champion turned professional just five years ago and has now reached the pinnacle of the sport. His victory over Murphy in a gripping final, which went to a deciding frame, has been hailed as a sign of things to come for Chinese snooker.
