Bending low over the green fabric table, Wu Yize’s eyes locked on the cue ball, every movement fluid and deliberate. The English theater erupted with a single, unrelenting chant: “Wuuuu… Wuuuu…” At first, Wu misunderstood; he thought people were booing him. But as games went on, it became clear the crowd was on his side. The final came down to the last game — or “frame” — of 35, when Wu scored 85 points to English snooker player Shaun Murphy’s 8, sealing the title.

The scene comes from the 2026 World Snooker Championship on Tuesday, when Wu, a 22-year-old from China, defeated Murphy to become the second-youngest champion ever, as well as the first born after 2000. The win follows Zhao Xintong’s 2025 victory, giving China back-to-back world titles.

On the sport’s most prestigious stage — the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England — Wu claimed an 18–17 victory after a two-day duel in which the lead swung back and forth between the two competitors.

Snooker — a billiards game invented by British officers in India in the 1870s — was introduced to China in the 1930s. In China, the game has evolved from a niche “street game” into a professional sport with global influence. The transformation began in 2005, when Ding Junhui, the first Chinese, and first Asian, player to reach the World Championship final, brought national attention to the game.

The country’s annual calendar has since grown from a single event to six professional tournaments by 2026 — including the Shanghai Masters, Wuhan Open, and International Championship — accounting for roughly a third of all global events.

Along with the championship trophy, Wu is walking away from this year’s world championship with £500,000 (roughly $676,000). His world ranking has also soared from tenth before the tournament to fourth — a career best.

Speaking to domestic media prior to the championship, Wu said, “My dream is to create an era that belongs to me, to achieve a grand slam, and to become the top snooker player in the world.”

Wu attributed his win to the power of believing in himself, as well as immense dedication. “I’ve been practicing for ages,” he said. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals.”

Born in 2003 in Lanzhou city in the northwestern Gansu province, Wu began playing snooker at the age of 7 under the guidance of his father, showing early talent.

Wu began training professionally at 13, and by 2018, he had won both the national youth championship and the IBSF World Under-21 Snooker Championship. At 16, Wu moved to Sheffield, widely regarded as the home of snooker, with his dad, who sold his antique store to finance his son’s training.

Adapting to a new language, culture, and lifestyle was challenging for Wu and his father, and money was tight. For three years, the two shared a single bed in a one-bedroom flat with no window.

“My parents are the true champions,” Wu said in a post-match interview. “They are the source of my strength.”

Wu has earned the nickname “Priest Wu” among Chinese fans, a nod to his tall, lanky frame, previously long hair, and calm style featuring smooth, precise shots, reminiscent of a Daoist priest.

Following Wu’s victory, Ding Junhui and Zhao Xintong congratulated him on social media. Ding wrote, “From Zhao Xintong to Wu Yize, Chinese players have stood atop the World Championship podium for two years in a row. This isn’t just a breakthrough — it’s a sign that our era has arrived!”

Wu’s triumph sparked widespread celebration across China, and fans flooded social media with tributes. One user on microblogging platform Weibo wrote, “Traveling across the seas, day after day — you’ve earned it. Enjoy the moments that belong to you.”

Editor: Marianne Gunnarsson.

(Header image: Wu Yize of China takes a shot in the World Snooker Championship final against Shaun Murphy of England at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, May 4, 2026. Cody Froggatt/Sportimage/VCG)