Chinese snooker sensation Wu Yize has been crowned the 2026 world champion after defeating Shaun Murphy in a dramatic 18–17 final at the Crucible Theatre on Monday, May 4.
The victory makes the 22-year-old the second-youngest champion in the tournament’s history, behind Stephen Hendry, who won the title at 21 in 1990.
“I have been trying to go for this for ages. For the past few months, I have been living the same life. I’m so happy that I could play well today,” Wu said after the match.
The young champion also paid tribute to his parents for their support throughout his journey.
“My parents are the true champions. Since I made the decision to drop out of school, my dad has been by my side,” he said.
“My mum has also been going through a lot over the years; they are the source of my strength. I love them so much.”
Speaking on how he plans to celebrate the historic win, Wu added: “I just want to have a good sleep. I have been feeling nerves all the time since before the match, so now I just want to go to bed!”
Wu’s triumph follows the breakthrough of Zhao Xintong, who became the first Asian world champion a year earlier, marking a significant shift in a sport traditionally dominated by British players.