At just 22 years old, Wu Yize became the first snooker world champion born after 2000, claiming the 2026 World Snooker Championship title on May 5. In a thrilling final against 43-year-old English star Shaun Murphy, he triumphed 18-17 in a 35-frame epic, making him the second-youngest world champion in history, behind only the “Emperor of Billiards” Stephen Hendry, who won at 21.
After his victory, Wu emotionally said, “I longed to be the world champion. I don’t think anyone wanted it more than I did. I was willing to give everything for it.” He also thanked his parents with tears in his eyes: “They are the real champions. From the moment I started my snooker journey as a child, they never left my side. We’ve been through so many hardships, and they will always be my spiritual strength.”
Nicknamed “Wu Daochang” and “Wu Shaoxia” by fans for his calm demeanor and ethereal appearance, Wu Yize, alongside Zhao Xintong, symbolizes a new era for Chinese snooker.
### A Miraculous Comeback
Before 2026, Wu had participated in the World Snooker Championship twice (2023 and 2025), losing in the first round both times. This year, he arrived at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, with more mature techniques and a stronger mindset.
In the semifinals against Mark Allen, the match saw 10 ties, with the 14th frame lasting 100 minutes and 19 seconds, setting a Crucible record for the longest single frame. Allen took a 16-14 lead, but Wu refused to give up. He won the next frame, then in the 32nd, capitalized on Allen’s fatal miss on the final black ball to force a decider. In the deciding frame, Wu held his nerve and sealed the win with a 71-point break.
“I haven’t calmed down yet,” Wu said after the match. “I’m glad I held my nerve under pressure in the last frame when I was behind.”
In the final, Wu faced Shaun Murphy, a Grand Slam winner ranked world No.8. Wu led 10-7 after the second session, but Murphy stormed back to take a 12-10 lead in the third. Wu responded with three consecutive frames to lead 13-12 heading into the final session. The two battled to a 17-17 tie, the first world championship final to require a deciding frame since 2002. In the decisive 35th frame, Murphy had an early chance but missed. Wu seized the opportunity, potting a crucial red and then compiling a 85-point break to claim victory.
### A Father’s All-In Gamble
Born on October 14, 2003, in Lanzhou, Gansu province, Wu Yize came from an ordinary family. His father, Wu Jiepin, ran an antique shop. In 2010, when Wu was seven, he followed his father into a local billiard hall and showed an unusual focus. His father was convinced after just five minutes: “This kid has talent; he can play professionally.”
Despite objections from relatives, Wu Jiepin closed his antique shop and devoted himself full-time to his son’s training. The father and son became “wanderers,” traveling across China to find top coaches and practice opportunities.
At age eight, Wu had an exhibition match with Stephen Hendry, organized by the Gansu Billiard Association. Though he lost, Hendry praised his talent, further cementing the father’s determination.
### Dreaming in a Basement
At 11, Wu’s highest break was only 49 points. His father took him to the Yushan International Billiard Academy in Jiangxi, where Australian coach Roger Leighton took him on. Within weeks, Wu’s highest break soared to 86 points. Leighton was amazed: “The highest break nearly doubled! His progress is beyond my imagination.”
In 2016, Wu Jiepin sold their only apartment in Lanzhou to fund his son’s training at Ding Junhui’s Billiard Academy in Dongguan. In July 2018, 14-year-old Wu won the World Youth Snooker Championship under-21 title, coming from 1-4 down to beat Thai talent Pongsakorn 6-4. It was his first world title.
In April 2021, Wu earned a two-year professional tour card. To compete at the highest level, he moved to Sheffield, England, at age 18. Life was tough: language barriers, unfamiliar food, loneliness. Father and son rented a windowless semi-basement for £1,200 a month, sleeping on a small bed. Annual expenses exceeded 300,000 yuan. Wu Jiepin worked multiple part-time jobs, sometimes sleeping only three to four hours a night, but never complained.
At the end of the 2021/22 season, Wu was named WST’s “Best Newcomer” after three top-32 finishes in ranking events.
### The Rise of “Wu Daochang”
In 2024, Wu had his first breakthrough. He reached the final of the English Open, beating Stuart Bingham, Ali Carter, and world No.1 Judd Trump before losing 7-9 to Neil Robertson. Two months later, he reached the final of the Scottish Open but lost 5-9 to Chinese compatriot Lei Peifan.
These near-misses fueled his determination. In November 2025, at the International Championship in Nanjing, he finally won his first ranking title. He defeated Trump, Barry Hawkins, and then-world champion Zhao Xintong before beating four-time world champion John Higgins 10-6 in the final. The victory moved him to world No.13, his first top-16 ranking. “I can finally pay off some debts,” he said humbly.
In early 2026, at the Masters, Wu’s cue tip malfunctioned. His father flew from China to help, repairing it overnight. Wu beat Xiao Guodong to reach the semifinals, crediting his father’s “double boost” to equipment and confidence.
After winning the world championship, Zhao Xintong and Ding Junhui congratulated him. Zhao said, “This is Chinese snooker.” Ding added, “From Zhao to Wu, two consecutive years of Chinese players standing on the world championship podium. This is more than a breakthrough—it’s the arrival of our era.”