Wu Rules The World After Classic Crucible Final
Wu Yize conquered the Crucible for the first time and became the second consecutive Chinese winner as he beat Shaun Murphy 18-17 in one of the all-time great finals at the Halo World Championship.
This was an outstanding contest, with three centuries, 29 more breaks over 50 and an average frame time of just 17 minutes, as both players favoured an attacking strategy. Wu’s courageous potting was most evident in the deciding frame – the first in a Crucible final since 2002 – as he was faced with a difficult red to centre, dropped it into the heart of the pocket, and went on to compile a fantastic break of 85 to land the trophy and £500,000 top prize.
Following Zhao Xintong’s historic triumph a year ago, as the first Chinese World Champion, Wu has followed in his footsteps and again the images of his celebration draped in his country’s flag will echo around the globe. Age 22 and 202 days, he is the second youngest ever World Champion, after Stephen Hendry who was 21 in 1990. He becomes the 25th player to hold the famous silverware at the Crucible, and for the first time there have been four consecutive maiden winners as Wu follows Luca Brecel in 2023 (age 28), Kyren Wilson in 2024 (age 32) and Zhao in 2025 (age 28).
Wu first came to the UK age 16 and initially lived in Sheffield in a windowless apartment with his father Wu Jiepin which was so small that they had to share a bed. He turned pro in 2021 and was named Rookie of the Year after his first season, then made gradual progress including runs to the final of the English Open and Scottish Open in 2024. This has been his breakthrough season, winning his first ranking title at the International Championship in November when he beat John Higgins in the final. That boosted him into the world’s top 16 and on his Masters debut in January he reached the semi-finals.
Wu had never won a match at the Crucible before this year, losing in the first round in his previous appearances in 2023 and 2025, but given his audacious talent and composure under pressure he was considered a true contender this time. Victories over Lei Peifan, Mark Selby and Hossein Vafaei put him into the semi-finals where he won a thrilling battle with Mark Allen 17-16, before another classic victory against Murphy. It’s his second title and he leaps from tenth to fourth in the Johnstone’s Paint World Rankings.
“I am so happy I could play like that today,” said Wu. “I played for my family, for myself and for China. My parents are the true champions. Since I made the decision to drop out of school, my dad has been by my side. My mum has also been through so much over the years. They are the source of my strength and I love them so much.
“I can’t thank the fans enough, no matter who you support, the love for snooker is mutual. I just want to have a good sleep! Since the second session I have been feeling nerves so right now I want to go to bed!”
Wu led 13-12 going into the final session and took the opening frame tonight with a break of 88, before Murphy responded with a run of 82. First chance in frame 28 went to Wu but he missed a red to a top corner and 26 and Murphy’s runs of 43 and 32 drew him level at 14-14. The Irthlingborough-born cueman looked favourite in the 29th until an attempted long red when he led 56-19 rattled in the jaws of a baulk corner, having Wu an opening for an excellent 41 clearance to lead at the interval.
Frame 30 cranked up the drama as Wu made 70 before missing a tough red, and Murphy had an opening at 70-8 and made a superb 65 clearance. Wu dominated the next with a top run of 56 to regain the lead, before Murphy responded with a 131, his 12th century of the tournament, for 16-16. Murphy was first among the balls in the next and made 45 before a red to a top corner hit the near jaw, and Wu cleared with 91. In frame 34 the roles were reversed as Wu made 43 before missing the black off its spot, and Murphy came through the test with a 75 clearance.
In the decider, Murphy had an early opportunity but on 7 he ran out of position and had to play safe. After a brief tactical tussle, Murphy was left with an awkward shot cueing over the yellow, and had to leave his opponent the tempter to a centre pocket. Wu stayed true to his aggressive instinct, slotted in the red and was barely out of position throughout the winning break.
Murphy had hoped to become only the seventh player to win the title on multiple occasions, and could have also set a new record for the longest gap between first and second crowns, having first held the trophy in 2005. He remains on 13 ranking titles, from 30 finals, and the £200,000 runner up prize moves him from eighth to fifth in the world. He has now lost his last four Sheffield finals, beaten by John Higgins in 2009, Stuart Bingham in 2015 and Mark Selby in 2021.
The Englishman said: “It was a great match, it had everything. Wu is one of the most talented players I have ever seen. I played him in China this season and after the match I said he would be a World Champion – I just wish it hadn’t been today! I am happy for him but heart-broken for myself. I was in first in the last frame but couldn’t get position, then after that I played the best safety shots I could have played. His red to middle showed a lot of courage, all credit because when he had the chance he took it. I don’t feel I lost the final – Wu won it. I couldn’t have tried harder and I am very proud of the way I played.”
