The 2026 world snooker championship final concluded on the evening of 4/5 with the first deciding frame at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, in 24 years. After more than 10 hours of competition over two days, Wu Yize maintained his composure to make an 85-point break in the 35th frame, securing an 18-17 victory over Shaun Murphy.

Wu received 500,000 British pounds (approximately 676,000 USD) in prize money for the championship. He also became the youngest player to win the tournament since Stephen Hendry in 1990. At that time, the Scottish legend won the title at 21 years and 106 days old.

Wu Yize with the world snooker championship trophy at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, United Kingdom on the evening of 4/5/2026. Photo: Reuters

Wu Yize with the world snooker championship trophy at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, United Kingdom on the evening of 4/5/2026. Photo: Reuters

Wu's victory follows Zhao Xintong's historic milestone last year, when he became the first Asian player to win the world title. This marks the second consecutive year the Crucible title has gone to China, a country predicted to dominate snooker for years to come.

Born in Lanzhou city, Gansu province, famous for its beef noodles, Wu began playing snooker at a young age. His father accompanied him to most tournaments during his teenage years. At 11 years old, Wu was sent to the Yushan International Billiards Academy in Jiangxi to meet Australian coach Roger Leighton.

Leighton recalled that Wu's technique was still developing at the time. His unsteady arm during the backswing and wrist movement during the cue action led to instability in simple shots. However, Wu's talent quickly emerged. After a few weeks of training, the boy, whose highest break was 49 points, achieved an 86-point break. Yet, Wu's initial reaction was disappointment, thinking, "Ronnie O'Sullivan would clear the table".

Wu won the under-21 world championship at 14 years old, turned professional at 17, and reached the knockout stage of the world championship at just 19. Last season, he secured his first major title at the International Championship after defeating John Higgins in the final.

Wu Yize during a shot in the world final. Photo: AP

Wu Yize during a shot in the world final. Photo: AP

At the Crucible this year, Wu entered the tournament as the number 10 seed. On his way to the final, he successively overcame Mark Selby, Hossein Vafaei, and then Mark Allen in the semi-finals. Against Allen, Wu faced elimination but saved the match with a decisive black ball shot. This match also drew attention due to a controversial snooker situation, criticized by many.

Wu's opponent in the final was Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion. The English player, 21 years older than Wu, was aiming for his second world title after more than two decades.

After trailing 7-10 on the first day, Murphy played explosively during the afternoon session on 4/5. He won five consecutive frames to take a 12-10 lead with breaks of 76, 52, 59, and 60 points.

Wu then briefly left the arena to regain his composure before returning strong. The Chinese player won three consecutive frames to lead 13-12 before the evening session. The two players continuously battled throughout the remainder of the match. Murphy made a 131-point break in the 32nd frame to level the score at 16-16, with the final black ball going into the pocket after hitting the cushion, igniting the crowd.

Wu responded with a 91-point break in the next frame, moving closer to the championship. However, in the 34th frame, he missed a relatively easy black ball that could have ended the match. Murphy capitalized on the opportunity, forcing the final into a deciding frame.

In the most high-pressure moment of his career, Wu maintained his characteristic attacking style. He scored an 85-point break to close out the match, then pumped his fist in celebration amidst the "Wuuuu" cheers echoing throughout the Crucible. He even initially thought the crowd was booing him, as his name sounded similar to "boooo."

"I have dreamed of this championship for a long time," Wu said after the match. "For many months, my only routine was training and competing. I am very happy that everything paid off."

The 22-year-old player dedicated most of his speech to his family. "My parents are the real champions," he continued. "Since I decided to leave school to pursue snooker, my father has always been by my side. My mother has also sacrificed so much over the years. They are my source of strength."

Wu's father traveled with him to Sheffield for training when he was just 16 years old. At that time, father and son had to share a bed to save costs. Earlier this year at the Masters, his father even flew from Lanzhou to London just to repair his son's cue tip when the cue had a problem.

Wu stated that the first thing he wanted to do after winning the championship was to buy a house for his parents.

Wu and his family celebrate the 2026 world snooker championship. Photo: AP

Wu and his family celebrate the 2026 world snooker championship. Photo: AP

Murphy was disappointed to lose his fourth world final, but still praised his opponent. "We were very close to winning," the 43-year-old player shared. "I said at the beginning of the season that Wu would win the world title one day. It's a pity that it happened today."

Wu's victory also marks the fourth consecutive year snooker has seen a new world champion, following Luca Brecel, Kyren Wilson, and Zhao. He became the fifth player in history to win the title in his first victorious match at the Crucible, after Terry Griffiths, Joe Johnson, Murphy, and Brecel.

Ronnie O'Sullivan once described Wu as a more dynamic version of Steve Davis, while Higgins compared him to the late legend Paul Hunter due to his natural attacking style.

At 22 years old, Wu is currently the youngest player in the top 16 worldwide. The Crucible championship is seen as a new milestone for the strong rise of Chinese snooker, a country that currently has approximately 300,000 snooker clubs and continues to produce many young talents.

By Xuan Binh