Wu Yize defeated Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a compelling final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield to win the World Snooker Championship. The 22-year-old is the second-youngest winner of the competition. This marks another Chinese world champion, following Zhao Xintong’s victory a year earlier.
Family Sacrifices Behind Wu’s Success
The win was particularly poignant for Wu, who relocated to the UK from his home city of Lanzhou aged 16, with his father. He pursued his dream amid concerns over the health of his mother.
“My mum wasn’t in very good health condition for a long time,” Wu said. “During that time we were in Sheffield, she has been in hospital a lot. She is forever a source of strength to me.”
He added, “She sacrificed everything for me. At that time she told me ‘don’t come back home, I can manage everything’. It was the second year I was playing in the UK.”
According to Wu, his mother is feeling much better now and this was the second time she has visited him in the UK. He intends to have her by his side more often in the future. At the time, his ranking was very low so it was a crucial time for him to achieve some good results and keep his professional status. She means everything to him.
An Attacking Style Marks Him Out
Wu shared a bed with his father in a windowless flat in the Steel City as he tried to carve out a career in professional snooker. His attacking style and individuality, in a sport known for its formal attire and disciplined approach, marked him out for greatness.
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and Murphy both tipped him as a future world champion earlier in the campaign.
A Changing of the Tide
Jason Ferguson, chairman of the sport’s governing body, believes Wu and others have the ability to transform the sport and deliver “a changing of the tide”.
“This boy is just outstanding. I’ve known Wu for a number of years, known his father for many years and seen the struggles and the tough battles to get to this stage,” Ferguson told BBC Sport.
- Wu is seen as one of the new breed that is helping to shape the future of the game.
- The reaction in China will be enormous.
- During the peak moments, the number of viewers may have exceeded 100 million people.
According to May Zhao, who has been in Sheffield to report for the International Sport Press Association, this will not be seen simply as another sporting victory but as part of a broader generational storyline, following Zhao Xintong’s breakthrough. It confirms a new era for Chinese snooker at the very top level.
Ferguson added: “You cannot believe what it means to that family to actually be in that arena holding that trophy. It’s quite an incredible moment. We are seeing a changing of the tide and it has to happen. Wu is really now entering that era of becoming a great where he can go on and win and win and win.”