In a thrilling 18-17 victory, the 2026 World Snooker Championship final concluded in the most intense fashion possible. For only the fourth time in the tournament’s century-long history, the match went the full 35 frames. A 22-year-old Chinese player, Wu Yize, stunned the Crucible, winning the title despite never having won a single match at the World Championship before this year. At 22 years and 203 days, he became the youngest champion since Stephen Hendry in 1990. This marks the second consecutive year a Chinese player has won the title, following Zhao Xintong’s historic victory last year.
“Highest-Level Match”
Wu Yize admitted after the match, “I was a bit confused at first. I heard the crowd shouting ‘Wu’ and thought they might be booing. Later, I was told the entire audience was cheering for me—it felt like a dream come true.” His path to the title began in the round of 16 when he defeated four-time champion Mark Selby, who then predicted, “He will definitely become world champion—maybe this year, if not, sometime in the future.” Semifinal opponent Mark Allen added, “I’m not Ronnie O’Sullivan; I don’t usually praise players, but Wu has something special. Beating him to reach the final is good for the sport.”
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry shared an old photo with Wu on social media, congratulating him on his victory. Former champion Dennis Taylor praised Wu’s aggressive style, saying, “He plays with incredible attacking flair, making the matches thrilling to watch.” Hendry noted, “His mental composure is remarkable. Even when struggling, he bounces back with confidence and ease.”
In both the semifinals and final, Wu pushed matches to the deciding frame, leaving legendary player Steve Davis to console the runner-up, Shaun Murphy. Davis told Murphy, “Wu makes every opponent nervous. This was the highest level of competition we’ve ever seen—an incredible semifinal and a brilliant final. Life goes on for you.” Murphy, taking it in stride, joked, “I always knew he’d win the world title someday—just didn’t expect it to be today. I gave it my all, couldn’t have done more.”
Insiders had long recognized Wu’s talent. In February, O’Sullivan said in an interview, “Wu will become world No.1 within three years and world champion soon.” O’Sullivan had coached Wu in Hong Kong and noticed his improvement: “In just two days, I saw how special this kid is.”
During the title run, Wu’s family background was widely covered. BBC reported that Wu moved to England at 16, initially living in a windowless apartment and sharing a bed with his father. The Sun noted, “All sacrifices paid off with a £500,000 check (champion’s prize), allowing him to fulfill his dream of buying a house for his parents.” The Times highlighted that while father and son were in the UK, Wu’s mother stayed in Lanzhou, selling furniture to support his dreams. The family even sold their only home to fund his overseas training. In his victory speech, Wu thanked his parents: “You are the real champions. From the moment I left school as a child, my father has been by my side. My mother has endured so much. Their spirit is my strength.” He also emphasized representing his country: “Standing on the podium with the national flag is the highest honor. I play for myself, my family, and my nation.”
Following the win, Wu’s world ranking rose to No. 4, alongside Zhao Xintong at No. 3, both poised to challenge for the top spot. British fans commented online, “The future of snooker is in China.” Ding Junhui remarked, “Two consecutive Chinese world champions—this isn’t just a breakthrough; our era is arriving.” Wu humbly said, “Zhao Xintong’s win last year inspired me. Ding Junhui paved the way. I’m just following their lead.”
China’s snooker ecosystem has flourished, with more young talents emerging. This year’s World Championship featured 11 Chinese players, a record. While established foreign stars like the “Class of ’92” linger, the shift in power is evident. As O’Sullivan once noted, without the Chinese market, many players might have had to quit the sport. The continuous success of Chinese players signals a new chapter for snooker, with Wu’s victory likely being just the beginning.