The victory marks another milestone in China’s growing dominance in snooker, following Zhao Xintong’s historic breakthrough triumph in 2025. Zhao, who exited this year’s tournament after losing to eventual runner-up Murphy, took to social media to congratulate Wu, declaring, “This is Chinese snooker, congratulations Wu Yize.”
Echoing the sentiment, Ding Junhui, the 2016 world finalist, described the moment as the arrival of a new era. Writing on Weibo, Ding stated, “This is not just a breakthrough, rather our era is approaching now,” while also expressing pride in the progress of Chinese snooker.
For years, Ding stood as the sole prominent Chinese presence in top-tier tournaments. However, the landscape has transformed significantly, with six Chinese players now ranked among the world’s top 20 and a wave of emerging talent reshaping the competitive field. Social media users reflected this shift, with one Weibo comment declaring that the sport in China is entering a “golden age.”
Snooker’s popularity in China has surged over the past two decades, driven largely by Ding’s influence, which inspired players like Wu and countless aspiring talents. The momentum was evident online, where the hashtag celebrating Wu’s victory amassed more than 40 million views on Weibo by Tuesday morning, briefly topping trending charts.
The Dongguan Billiards Association, where Wu trained in 2019 and which has nurtured top players including Ding, issued a statement praising his journey from a “young dreamer to a world champion,” calling it a testament to the rising strength of a new generation. The official newspaper of the Communist Party, People's Daily, also extended congratulations, as Wu celebrated his victory draped in the Chinese flag.
The triumph has also drawn attention to the sacrifices made by Wu’s family. Social media discussions highlighted how his father sold the family home in Lanzhou to fund his son’s snooker career, generating 18 million views by midday Tuesday. His father also closed an antique shop to accompany Wu across the country before relocating with him to Sheffield. One user remarked that the family “gave up everything to go professional.”
In a post-match interview, Wu described his parents as the “real champions,” acknowledging their unwavering support. Meanwhile, a 2012 photograph of an eight-year-old Wu alongside Stephen Hendry in Lanzhou resurfaced online, gaining 2.9 million views.
At 22, Wu became the second youngest player to win the World Snooker Championship, behind seven-time champion Hendry, who achieved the feat at 21. His victory not only underscores personal excellence but also cements China’s emergence as a formidable force in global snooker, signalling the dawn of a transformative era for the sport.
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