Wu Yize wins world snooker title in last-frame thriller, boosts Olympic bid
Wu Yize wins world snooker title in last-frame thriller, boosts Olympic bid
China’s Wu Yize edges Shaun Murphy 18-17 to become world champion, following Zhao Xintong, and giving snooker a fresh push toward Olympic inclusion.
China’s Wu Yize staged a dramatic victory over Shaun Murphy, winning the World Snooker Championship 18-17 in a last-frame decider at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The 22-year-old became the second youngest modern-era world champion, following Zhao Xintong’s breakthrough Asia-first title a year earlier.
Back-to-back Chinese champions are reshaping the sport's landscape. The sport’s top official said Wu’s triumph, coming on the heels of Zhao Xintong’s win, could provide a major boost to snooker’s long-standing bid to join the Olympic programme.
Beyond the record books, Wu’s journey has been highlighted by family sacrifices and early support from loved ones, a narrative that has driven his ascent and inspired aspiring players across China and beyond. The dramatic finale underscored the level of talent rising from Asia and the potential for a broader global footprint for the sport.
As snooker continues to negotiate its Olympic future, Wu Yize’s win signals a new era for Chinese snooker and a heightened push from the sport’s leadership to secure a place on sport’s biggest stage.
