Wu Yize of China triumphed at the 2026 Snooker World Championship, defeating England’s Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a thrilling final held in Sheffield, England, on May 4. The victory made the 23-year-old the second Chinese player to win the prestigious title, following Zhao Xintong’s achievement.
Born in 2003, Wu emerged as the tournament’s biggest surprise. He started by eliminating compatriot Lei Peifan in the first round, then overcame four-time world champion Mark Selby of England. In the quarterfinals and semifinals, he defeated Iran’s Hossein Vafaei and Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen, becoming the first post-2000s player to reach the world championship final.
The final, a best-of-35 contest played over two days and four sessions, saw Wu take a 10-7 lead after the opening day. When the third session began, Murphy won five consecutive frames with four breaks over 50, but Wu responded with three straight frames of his own, each surpassing 50 points. At the end of the third session, Wu led 13-12.
The fourth session was a nail-biter. The pair traded frames until locked at 17-17, forcing a deciding frame for the first time in the world championship final since 2002. In the decider, Wu trailed briefly but held his nerve, producing a match-winning clearance to seal an 18-17 victory and claim his maiden world title.
When asked about his winning mentality, Wu said, “It was pure belief. I wanted this title more than anyone else. I was willing to give everything to get it.”
The Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association praised Wu in a congratulatory message, stating, “Your ability to withstand pressure and stage comebacks in long-format, high-intensity matches showcases the formidable strength and fighting spirit of China’s post-2000s snooker players. Your triumph embodies the patriotic and tenacious spirit of Chinese sports. It will further enhance China’s competitiveness and influence in international snooker, ignite national pride, and inspire more young people to take up the sport.”
