Wu Yize’s father made significant sacrifices to support his son’s snooker career. He sold their family home and closed his small business to finance Wu’s journey to becoming the world champion. In a thrilling final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, the 22-year-old defeated Shaun Murphy 18-17 in the tournament’s first 35th-frame decider since 2002. This victory not only earned Wu the title of the second youngest champion in history but also a substantial £500,000 prize money and the prestigious trophy.

Following in the footsteps of Zhao Xintong’s success in 2025, Wu became the second consecutive Chinese player to claim the world title. The online community was abuzz with the story of Wu’s father selling their home in Lanzhou, China, to support his son’s dream. The heartwarming tale went viral on Chinese social media platform Weibo, garnering 18 million views by the next day.

Wu’s father also shut down his antique shop to accompany his son on his snooker journey, eventually relocating to Sheffield. During the emotional trophy ceremony, Wu expressed his gratitude to his parents, calling them the “true champions” and acknowledging their unwavering support throughout his career.

The rise of Chinese snooker has captivated the nation, evident in the massive online support for Wu’s victory. Hashtags celebrating Wu’s win flooded social media platforms, with over 40 million views on Weibo by the next morning. Fellow Chinese snooker stars, including Zhao and Ding Junhui, extended their congratulations and expressed pride in the growth of Chinese snooker talent.

The Dongguan Billiards Association, where Wu honed his skills, praised his journey from a young aspirant to a world champion, highlighting the emergence of a new generation of Chinese snooker excellence. Wu, draped in the Chinese flag after his triumph, received accolades from various quarters, including the official Communist Party newspaper, People’s Daily.