Wu Yize, 22, Becomes Second-Youngest World Snooker Champion
A new star has emerged in the world of snooker, marking another milestone for Chinese players. Following Zhao Xintong's historic victory last year, Wu Yize claimed the World Snooker Championship title on Monday by narrowly defeating Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a gripping final at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.
Wu's triumph holds deep personal significance. At 16, he moved from Lanzhou, China, to the UK with his father to pursue his snooker ambitions, despite his mother's prolonged health challenges.
"My mum wasn't in very good health condition for a long time," Wu said. "During that time we were in Sheffield, she has been in hospital a lot. She is forever a source of strength to me.
"She is feeling much better now. This is the second time she has visited me in the UK. I think in the future I will take her more to be by my side.
"She sacrificed everything for me. At that time she told me 'don't come back home, I can manage everything'. It was the second year I was playing in the UK.
"At that time my ranking was very low so it was a crucial time for me to achieve some good results and keep my professional status. She means everything to me."
Wu Defeats Murphy in Decider to Claim World Title
Wu, who relies on a translator during press conferences, shared a windowless flat with his father in Sheffield as he worked to establish his professional snooker career. His aggressive playing style and unique approach distinguish him in a sport traditionally known for its formal attire and disciplined tactics.
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and 2005 champion Shaun Murphy both predicted Wu's potential as a future world champion earlier in the tournament.
Jason Ferguson, chairman of the sport's governing body, highlighted Wu's impact on snooker’s evolution.
"This boy is just outstanding. I've known Wu for a number of years, known his father for many years and seen the struggles and the tough battles to get to this stage.
"You cannot believe what it means to that family to actually be in that arena holding that trophy. It's quite an incredible moment. We are seeing a changing of the tide and it has to happen.
"Wu is really now entering that era of becoming a great where he can go on and win and win and win."
The Moment Wu Won the World Championship
Wu is regarded as part of a new generation shaping snooker's future.
May Zhao, reporting for the International Sport Press Association in Sheffield, remarked on the broader significance of Wu's victory.
"This will not be seen simply as another sporting victory but as part of a broader generational storyline, following Zhao Xintong's breakthrough," she said. "It confirms a new era for Chinese snooker at the very top level.
"The reaction in China will be enormous. During the peak moments, the number of viewers may have exceeded 100 million people."
Is Wu Changing the Face of Snooker?
Zhao's win last year was a landmark for Chinese snooker. Wu's success suggests the beginning of a golden era for Chinese players and potentially a new chapter for the sport globally.
Wu's victory at the International Championship in Nanjing last November marked a breakthrough, elevating him to a career-high 13th in the world rankings at that time.
"After that win, he was received by the vice governor of the Gansu province and this will be much bigger than that," said Joe Liu, a Chinese snooker reporter for World Snooker.
"Lanzhou is the capital of Gansu and is not a place where they have huge sports traditions or achievement, so this will be huge for his home city.
"During my time associating with him, at all the tournaments I've been to, I can sense his confidence. He's very confident and I think he knows he can do a lot more in the future."
Analysis: Davis and Parrott on Wu's World Title Win
Wu's world championship victory has propelled him to fourth in the rankings and reinforced the belief that Chinese players could dominate snooker for years with a fresh, aggressive style.
"The game is changing, shot selection is changing and the likes of Wu Yize are changing the face of snooker to make it much more aggressive," said six-time world champion Steve Davis during the BBC's final coverage.
"The modern-day players coming through have got to copy this. You can't win playing safe."
Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry added:
"He's just brilliant. He plays the game properly and goes for the shots.
"He's obviously at a stage of his career when he's not had many scars and he's not thinking about the consequences of missing. He just gets on with it and he's having fun."
A Changing of the Guard?
Chinese players won three professional circuit events during the 2024-25 season, increasing to seven wins from 23 events this season, achieved by three players: Zhao, Xiao Guodong, and Wu.
The number of Chinese players reaching the televised stage of the World Championship rose from a record 10 in 2025 to 11 this year.
Before last year's tournament, only four Chinese players—Ding Junhui, Zhang Anda, Xiao, and Si Jiahui—were in the top 16. This year, five players—Zhao and Wu included—are in the top 16, with Zhang dropping out. Additionally, 10 Chinese players will start next season ranked inside the top 32.
One year ago, the world's top five players were all British, but that is no longer the case.
While John Higgins reached the semifinals in Sheffield and the Masters final this season, Ronnie O'Sullivan's January 2024 win at Alexandra Palace remains the most recent Triple Crown victory by a member of the sport's renowned 'Class of 92'.
"There is a finite amount of time that a player can perform at the optimum level," said Ferguson.
"There is now a lot more talent chasing them and a lot more talent that's capable of winning. We've seen a big shift in the younger players. What we're seeing now is multiple players that can actually beat the 'Class of 92' and go all the way."
Liu concurred:
"He's almost 30 years younger than those guys so I think we're definitely witnessing a change of era.
"A lot of players have already predicted Zhao will be the one who is in the dominant position in the next 10 years or so, but if Wu continues to grow in the next two or three years, he can up there together with Zhao."
However, it is important to note that English players Mark Selby and Kyren Wilson collectively hold five world titles and have won five tournaments this season, including the UK Championship and the Masters, two other Triple Crown events.
