Wu Yize’s father made significant sacrifices to support his son’s journey to snooker success. He sold their family home and closed his small business to fund Wu’s pursuit of becoming a world snooker champion. Wu, aged 22, emerged victorious in a thrilling final against Shaun Murphy, winning 18-17 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on Monday.
This intense match featured the tournament’s first 35th-frame decider since 2002, propelling Wu to claim the title as the second youngest champion in history. He secured a substantial prize of £500,000 along with the prestigious trophy. Wu’s win also marked the second consecutive year that a Chinese player took home the world title after Zhao Xintong’s historic victory in 2025.
The news of Wu’s triumph spread rapidly on Chinese social media, with a hashtag trending on Weibo about his father’s sacrifices gaining 18 million views by midday on Tuesday. Wu’s father not only sold their home in Lanzhou but also closed his antique shop to accompany his son on his snooker journey, eventually relocating to Sheffield together.
During the emotional trophy ceremony, Wu expressed his gratitude to his parents, acknowledging their unwavering support. The rise of Chinese snooker talent, exemplified by Wu’s achievement, has significantly boosted the sport’s popularity in China, as evidenced by the overwhelming online response following the final in Sheffield.
Numerous Chinese snooker stars, including Zhao and Ding Junhui, extended their congratulations to Wu on social media, highlighting the collective pride in Chinese snooker’s accomplishments. The Dongguan Billiards Association, instrumental in nurturing top Chinese talent like Ding, commended Wu’s evolution from a young dreamer to a world champion, symbolizing the growing strength of Chinese snooker.
Following his victory, Wu draped himself in the Chinese flag and received accolades from various quarters, including the official Communist Party newspaper, People’s Daily. The widespread support and recognition for Wu Yize’s achievement underscore the remarkable progress and success of Chinese snooker on the global stage.