Beijing time on May 5, 2026, saw history written at the World Snooker Championship as Chinese rising star Wu Yize edged out former world champion Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a thrilling final. With this victory, Wu becomes the first snooker world champion born after the year 2000, and only the second Chinese player—following Zhao Xintong—to claim the prestigious title.
In the wake of Wu’s triumph, the Chinese Billiards & Snooker Association issued a heartfelt congratulatory message:
“Wu Yize: We are delighted to learn that you defeated former world champion Shaun Murphy in the final of the 2026 World Snooker Championship to claim your first world title, adding another glorious chapter to Chinese snooker. The Chinese Billiards & Snooker Association extends our warmest congratulations.
Throughout this championship, you overcame formidable opponents including Lei Peifan, Mark Selby (four-time world champion), and Hossein Vafaei. In the semifinal against Mark Allen, you faced a 16-14 deficit but remained calm, winning three consecutive frames to complete a stunning 17-16 comeback and become the third Chinese player after Ding Junhui and Zhao Xintong to reach a World Championship final. In the title match, you displayed exceptional long potting, break-building, and composure under pressure to defeat 2005 champion Shaun Murphy, writing a new chapter for Chinese snooker.
Your ability to withstand pressure in the long-frame format and reverse the match in the latter stages showcased the strength and spirit of China’s post-2000 snooker players, embodying the Chinese sporting spirit of striving for glory. This victory will further boost China’s competitiveness and influence on the international snooker stage, inspire national pride, and encourage more young people to take up the sport.
Honor belongs to the past, but the journey never ends. We hope you will take this championship as a new starting point, continue to hone your skills and willpower, achieve even greater success on the international stage, win more honors for the motherland, and make greater contributions to the high-quality development of Chinese billiards.”
**Wu Yize’s Road to Glory**
Wu began his campaign with a 10-2 victory over Lei Peifan in the first round. In the second round, he defeated four-time world champion Mark Selby 13-11, and then dispatched Hossein Vafaei 13-8 in the quarterfinals.
The semifinal against Mark Allen proved the most dramatic. Trailing 14-16, Wu won three frames in a row—clinching the match with a composed 71 break—to complete a 17-16 reversal and become the first post-2000 player to reach a World Championship final.
**From a Child Prodigy to World Champion**
Born in Lanzhou, Gansu Province in October 2003, Wu Yize was introduced to snooker at age seven by his father, Wu Jieping. He quickly showed extraordinary talent and received coaching from national champion Da Hailin. At just eight years old, in 2012, he even played an exhibition match against Stephen Hendry, the “King of Snooker,” in Lanzhou.
Wu committed to professional training at 13, spending thousands of hours practicing the sport. In 2018, he won the national youth championship and the IBSF World Under-21 Snooker Championship. At 16, he moved to Sheffield, England, for training with his father.
Life in England was tough initially—neither Wu nor his father spoke much English, and prize money from early tournaments was limited. Wu has spoken openly about the immense pressure.
In November 2025, Wu claimed his first ranking title by defeating John Higgins 10-6 in the final of the International Championship, producing four century breaks.
After winning the World Championship, Wu said: “A belief kept me going. I have always dreamed of this world title. No one wanted it more than I did.”
On the same day, fellow Chinese stars Zhao Xintong and Ding Junhui sent their congratulations on social media.
Ding Junhui wrote: “From Zhao Xintong to Wu Yize—for two consecutive years, Chinese players have stood on the highest podium at the World Championship. This is not just a breakthrough; it marks the arrival of our era!”
