Wu Yize beat Shaun Murphy in the Snooker World Championship final 2026. Wu is now World Champion, but just 6 years ago he was so poor he had to share a bed with his father.
The Snooker World Championship in 2026 got a much-deserved climax, as we were treated to yet another decider after so many great and hard-fought mathces in this year's edition. The title of World Champion was decided between
Wu Yize and
Shaun Murphy in just one frame, after the 34 previous had brought an equal outcome at 17-17.
Other sports' ways of deciding titles like penalties and overtime winners can leave a bleak taste in your mouth, but after over 10 hours of snooker not separating the finalists, there could only be one to decide it all. No second chances, no quarter given, just the 22-year old potting machine Wu against the magical 2005 World Champion Murphy.
Perhaps the two most attack-minded players on the tour, the duo had fought blow for blow for the entire 10 hours, with the average frame-time dipping under an impressive 17 minutes. The Crucible crowd had been treated to long pot after long pot and fantastic breaks for the entire final day, but neither player had managed to gain any meaningful advantage.
The last 18-17 decider in a World Snooker Championship final came in 2002 before Wu was even born, and this time out Murphy had the first chance. Sadly for the Englishman, he was forced to abandon the break with a safety after just 8 points.
However, safeties that have been anything less than perfect hadn't been enough to contain Wu in this year's Championship. Before 2026 the Chinese youngster hadn't even managed a single victory at snooker's showpiece event, but so far in Sheffield he'd taken every chance he'd been presented with.
This time was no different, and a difficult red slid into the pocket like a hot knife into butter. Wu was yet again off, and this time there were no second chances for Murphy as the 22-year old steamed on to claim the trophy with a beautiful break that required many a tricky shot that had everyone holding their breath.
The Chinese youngster who moved to England at just 16 had done it. Just 6 years ago he was sharing a bed with his father in a windowless apartment, but now Wu Yize is the Snooker World Champion. No man this young had taken the title since his opponent tonight in 2005, and Wu's celebrations during the final break were already euphoric and full of emotion.
Wu becomes just the second Chinese player to claim snooker's biggest title, after his compatriot
Zhao Xintong managed the same feat last year. Perhaps this young man will become the man to put an end to the dreaded Crucible curse with a repeat next year, but what we can say for sure is that China has now established itself as a true powerhouse of snooker.
You can definitely see what the grassroots for their success is, with an unrelenting work ethic and motivation on display throughout their careers. Wu was quick to thank those closest to him after his crowning achievement:
- After I made the decision to quit school, my father has been there for me every step of the way. My mother's also gone through a lot recently. They are the source of my strength, I love them so much.
Murphy knows exactly what it takes to win the title at such a young age, and he even claims to have predicted this youngster's triumph:
- I hate being right. After a tight game between us earlier this season I said that Wu could go on to become World Champion one day. It's a shame that it had to be today, but I gave it everything and couldn't have tried any harder. I want to be the first to congratulate Wu Yize and his family for this World Championship.
You can watch the crowning moment of the snooker year aka the decider via the video below.
Sources:
WST
BBC 
