Sheffield, May 5: Wu Yize has claimed his first World Snooker Championship title by defeating Shaun Murphy 18-17 in one of the most thrilling finals to date.
At just 22 years and 202 days old, Wu becomes the second youngest world champion, following Stephen Hendry, who won the title at 21 in 1990. He is now the 25th player to win the prestigious silverware at the Crucible and the first to achieve this as a maiden winner for four consecutive years. Wu leads the pack, following Luka Brecel (28 years) in 2023, Kyren Wilson (32 years) in 2024, and Zhao (28 years) in 2025.
This victory marks Wu’s second title, elevating him from tenth to fourth in the world rankings. Prior to this year, he had never won a match at the Crucible, having lost in the first round in both 2023 and 2025.
His journey to the semi-finals included victories over Lei Peifan, Mark Selby, and Hossein Vafaei, culminating in a classic win against Mark Allen with a score of 17-16.
The final was a spectacular showdown, featuring three century breaks and over 29 breaks of 50 or more, with an average frame time of just 17 minutes as both players employed aggressive strategies. Wu’s decisive potting was evident in the final frame—marking the first time since 2002 that a Crucible final saw such a moment—when he executed a difficult red shot, followed by a brilliant break of 85, securing the trophy and a prize of £500,000.
After his win, Wu expressed his joy, stating, “I am very happy to have played like this. I played for my family, for myself, and for China. My parents are the real champions. Since I decided to leave school, my father has been by my side. My mother has also endured a lot over the years. They are my source of strength. I love them very much.”
He added, “I cannot thank the fans enough. Whether you support someone or not, the love for snooker is what matters.”
Murphy had hoped to become the seventh player to win multiple titles and to set a new record for the longest gap between his first and second crowns since winning his first trophy in 2005.
He remains a formidable competitor with 13 ranking titles out of 30 finals. His runner-up finish has moved him from eighth to fifth in the world rankings.
Murphy remarked, “It was a fantastic match. It had everything. Wu is one of the most talented players I have ever seen. I played with him in China this season. After the match, I told him he would become a world champion. I am happy for him, but my heart is broken for myself.”
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