“I fought for myself, for my family, and most importantly, for my country.”
On the early morning of May 5, Beijing time, the 2026 Snooker World Championship final concluded with Chinese teenager Wu Yize clinching an 18-17 victory, becoming the first post-2000s world champion in snooker history and the second Chinese player to win the prestigious title after Zhao Xintong.
Compared to the emotional celebration when Zhao Xintong made history last year, this time the joy was more composed, even tinged with calmness.
Yes, calmness.
In the just-concluded season, Chinese players also claimed multiple major snooker titles, including the International Championship, Players Championship, and Wuhan Open. Chinese snooker has evolved from occasional surprises to a phase of consistent dominance. The 2026–2027 season could be a year when Chinese players further strengthen their grip on the sport. Analysts predict that Chinese players could take 8 to 10 of the 18 ranking events in the upcoming season.
Turning back to this year’s world championship triumph, many friends asked me: Why was it the dark horse Wu Yize?
The answer is simple — the logic behind Wu Yize’s victory mirrors that of Zhang Xue’s success in motorcycle racing.
First, Wu Yize himself is a “Zhang Xue-type” obsessive in the sport. He started playing snooker at age seven without a renowned coach. He relied on self-study and countless hours of daily practice — over eight hours a day — constantly pushing his limits. He traveled everywhere, seizing every opportunity to compete in youth and amateur events even before making his name. His father even sold the family house and business to support him, accompanying him to England for advanced training. That unwavering backing proved crucial.
Equally important, his victory is inseparable from the booming development of China’s snooker scene. The ecosystem now is far different from Ding Junhui’s era, when he blazed a trail alone. China’s snooker industry, from equipment and tournaments to player training and sponsorship, has matured into a complete and self-sustaining system.
For example, during his youth, Wu Yize had the chance to train at Ding Junhui’s Snooker Academy. Before winning the world title, he also signed with a domestic event management company, securing sufficient funding for training and competition. In contrast, many British professional players struggle with part-time jobs alongside training, creating a talent pipeline gap.
In recent years, technology has also given China’s snooker industry greater global influence. The Hawk-Eye system used in world championship broadcasts, high-quality snooker tables, and supporting equipment are all Chinese-made. China is becoming a new rule-setter in the global snooker industry.
Within this system, countless “Wu Yizes” have emerged: from Ding Junhui and Zhao Xintong to Zhang Anda, Xiao Guodong, and more recently Wu Yize, Si Jiahui, Fan Zhengyi, Pang Junxu… When Wu Yize draped the Chinese flag over his shoulders at the Crucible Theatre, it marked the true beginning of a golden era for Chinese snooker.
