Wu Yize has stormed into the World Snooker Championship final at just 22 years old, but his path to the Crucible showpiece has been anything but easy. The young talent from Lanzhou, China, secured his spot in the final against Shaun Murphy with a thrilling 17-16 victory over Mark Allen on Saturday night. He clinched the last three frames to edge out the Northern Irishman, surviving several tense moments as Allen faltered under pressure.
A Long Road to the Top
Wu's journey began in Lanzhou, where he took up snooker at age seven. By 14, he had won the IBSF Under-21 World Championship, showcasing immense talent early on. However, financial rewards were scarce, prompting his family to take a gamble: his father quit his job and moved with Wu to Sheffield, England. For the first two years, they shared a tiny, windowless room, sleeping on the same bed. Money was so tight that every penny counted.
Speaking after his quarter-final win over Hossein Vafaei, Wu said through a translator: "Especially the first year when I arrived in the UK to train and play, I wasn't mentally in a good place, but I'm really happy I overcame many difficulties to come to where I am today." He admitted homesickness and financial pressure were major hurdles, as prize money was minimal at the start.
Early Promise and Coaching
Wu's childhood coach, Roger Leighton, recalled the young player's determination. Based in China, Leighton began coaching Wu when he was 11. "He was a cheeky little kid," Leighton told Metro. "His highest break was 49. After a couple of weeks, it increased to 70-odd. He played Chang Bingu one day, losing 2-0, then came back with a 50 and an 89 break. He missed a long ball and said, 'It's no good because Ronnie would have cleared up.' I said, 'Yeah, but you're not Ronnie yet.' That was his mentality at 11." Wu soon made his first century and beat world top-30 player Cao Yupeng within months.
Wu turned professional in 2021 at 17, winning Rookie of the Year. He made his Crucible debut in 2023, losing to Neil Robertson. Over the next three seasons, he made gradual progress before a breakthrough in the 2024/25 campaign, reaching two ranking finals and debuting in elite events like the Players Championship and Tour Championship. He ended last season with a second Crucible appearance, which Mark Williams ended swiftly.
This Season's Rise
The current season has seen Wu step up again. He won the International Championship in November, defeating Judd Trump, Zhao Xintong, and Barry Hawkins before beating John Higgins in the final. The £175,000 top prize propelled him into the top 16, alleviating past financial struggles for his family. He followed that with a semi-final on Masters debut in January and two more ranking semis this season, culminating in his superb run to the Crucible final.
Based in Sheffield when in the UK, Wu has become a crowd favorite. The "Wuuu" chant echoes around the Crucible, reminiscent of the reception for cricket star Joe Root. "I'm playing in a foreign country, so having local and Chinese fans supporting me means a lot," Wu said. "I'm really grateful."
Respect from Peers and Legends
Wu's popularity extends to fellow players. After losing to Wu in the last 16, Mark Selby said: "He's just enjoying it and having a great career. Good luck to the boy. I like him. He's a nice lad." Ronnie O'Sullivan has also taken Wu under his wing, offering advice and practicing with him. In February, O'Sullivan told WST: "I think Wu Yize is going to be world number one. I'd give him three years. Definitely going to be world champion very, very soon. Phenomenal player." O'Sullivan had tipped Wu as a future world champion as early as 2022.
Shaun Murphy, Wu's opponent in the final, also praised him: "He's sensational, isn't he? I tipped him to be a world champion earlier this season. He battered me at the Masters. He is a wonderful, wonderful player, an absolute star. I just have to hope that this week is my week and not his." Asked how to beat the gun-slinging youngster, who has made breaks of 142, 140, and 135 in the tournament, Murphy quipped: "In the words of the late, great John Virgo, I have to pot as many balls as I can."
Wu's incredible journey from a cramped Sheffield room to the Crucible final is a testament to his talent, hard work, and the support of his family. Now, he stands one match away from snooker immortality.
