Wu's triumph adds to China's snooker legacy

Wu Yize, a 22-year-old Chinese snooker player, claimed victory over England's Shaun Murphy with a close 18-17 score in the 2026 World Snooker Championship final, held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, UK. This achievement makes Wu the first player born in the 2000s to win this championship and the second Chinese athlete to win ever since Zhao Xintong’s win last year.

The final was highly competitive, with both players tied 17-17 after 34 frames. Murphy had the first chance in the deciding frame but only scored eight points. Wu then finished the match with a challenging break of 85 points.

Wu credited his success to hard work and the support of his family. He started playing snooker when he was 7, trained in China, and later moved to the UK to advance his career. Over the course of the tournament, Wu defeated top players including Mark Selby and Mark Allen.

China’s strong presence in international snooker is growing, with multiple Chinese players reaching advanced stages of the tournament this year. The victories of players like Ding Junhui, Zhao Xintong, and Wu Yize show a clear rise of snooker talent in China, supported by systematic training and increasing interest in the sport.

Wu’s victory reflects a shift in the global snooker landscape, with China becoming a major force in what was traditionally a UK-dominated sport.

In a riveting finale at the 2026 World Snooker Championship held at Sheffield’s iconic Crucible Theatre, China’s Wu Yize triumphed over England’s seasoned champion Shaun Murphy in a nail-biting 18-17 victory. Marking a historic milestone, Wu is the first competitor born in the new millennium to claim the prestigious title and China’s second world champion, following Zhao Xintong's groundbreaking win the prior year.

The final epitomized high-stakes competitive drama, with both players locked at 17 frames apiece after an exhaustive 34 frames. Murphy initially took the lead in the deciding frame by potting a long red, yet was unable to consolidate this advantage, accumulating only eight points. Wu capitalized decisively, executing a demanding shot by potting a difficult red into the middle pocket and closing out the match with an impressive 85-point break.

Reflecting on his arduous journey, Wu underscored the pivotal role of perseverance and familial backing, highlighting his parents’ sacrifices, including his father’s abandonment of business pursuits and the family’s relocation for his training. Wu's developmental trajectory — beginning at the age of seven, advancing through China’s rigorous snooker infrastructure, and culminating in his relocation to the UK as a teenager — exemplifies a strategic investment in elite sporting excellence.

This victory not only underscores Wu's individual brilliance but also epitomizes China's burgeoning stature within the global snooker landscape. The surge of Chinese talent, including trailblazers like Ding Junhui and recent champions Zhao and Wu, reflects a generational shift fuelled by systematic training regimes and increasing international exposure.

Ding Junhui, who catalyzed snooker’s popularity in China with his 2005 China Open victory over seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, hailed Wu’s success as emblematic of a new era. The back-to-back world titles signify China’s consolidated presence near the pinnacle of a sport traditionally dominated by the UK.

Shaun Murphy graciously acknowledged Wu’s prowess, noting the latter's composure and aggressive style, traits which have invited comparisons to snooker’s greats. Wu Yize’s ascendancy thus heralds a transformative period in snooker’s global competitive dynamics, reflecting broader shifts in sporting power and talent cultivation.