On May 4, Chinese snooker prodigy Wu Yize, born in the 2000s, defeated England’s Shaun Murphy to win the 2026 World Snooker Championship. This marks the second consecutive year a Chinese player has claimed the sport’s ultimate prize, following Zhao Xintong’s victory last year.
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, the newly crowned world champion reflected on his journey. Wu revealed that his connection with snooker began in early childhood when he would accompany his father to the local pool hall. To support his passion, his mother even converted one of the family’s bedrooms into a practice room, installing a full-size table. With unwavering family backing, he gradually climbed the ranks of professional snooker, overcame the loneliness of competing overseas, and eventually reached the pinnacle of the sport.
Wu shared his unique perspective on snooker, describing it as a sport full of challenges. He relishes solving unpredictable patterns on the table and is known for his bold, attacking style during matches. Looking ahead, the young champion expressed a desire to stay healthy and continue enjoying the game he loves.
