Wu Yize beat Shaun Murphy 18–17 in a dramatic Crucible final to win the 2026 World Snooker Championship, marking a key moment in China’s rise in snooker.
Wu Yize won his first World Snooker Championship title on Monday night after a dramatic 18–17 victory over Shaun Murphy at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The 22-year-old held his nerve in a tense final frame to secure the biggest win of his career, CNS reported.
The result marked another milestone for Chinese snooker. It also extended a recent run of success at the sport’s highest level.
A Final Decision in the Last Frame
The match stayed close from start to finish. Shaun Murphy, a former world champion, used his experience early on and kept himself in control for long spells.
However, Wu stayed within reach throughout the contest. As the match entered the final stages, Murphy moved to 17–17 and forced a deciding frame.
Even so, Wu responded with calm focus. He controlled the final frame with steady potting and strong safety play. Then he closed out the match to complete an 18–17 win.
Earlier in the tournament, Wu showed the same resilience. He beat Mark Selby 13–11 in the second round. Then he produced a strong comeback against Mark Allen in the semi-final. Trailing 14–16, he won three frames in a row to reach his first world final.
A Wider Shift in World Snooker
Wu’s victory fits into a broader pattern in the sport. In recent years, Chinese players have become a stronger and more consistent presence on the professional tour.
This win follows Zhao Xintong’s world title in 2025. Together, these results point to a clear shift in the competitive balance at the top level of snooker.
At this year’s championship, more than ten Chinese players reached the main draw. Several also made deep runs into the later stages, which shows the growing depth of talent.
After the final, Wu said he had worked toward this moment for years. He described the world title as a long-term goal and said he stayed fully focused throughout the tournament.
Murphy praised his opponent after the match. He said Wu showed strong composure under pressure and deserved the win. Other figures in the sport also highlighted his attacking style and calm decision-making in key moments.
From Lanzhou to the Crucible
Wu was born in Lanzhou, China, and started playing snooker at the age of seven. He later joined structured training and developed through junior competitions, including a world youth title in 2018.
He turned professional in 2021 and moved to the United Kingdom to continue his development. Since then, he has progressed steadily on the tour. In 2025, he won his first ranking title at the International Championship.
His 2026 world title now completes a rapid rise from junior talent to world champion in just a few years.
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