Wu Yize’s dad sold family home and closed his small business because of son’s snooker career
Wu Yize became the second Chinese player in a row to win the World Snooker Championship thanks to his dad’s sacrifices
Wu Yize’s parents sacrificed a lot for him to become a world champion(Image: DARREN STAPLES, AFP via Getty Images)
Wu Yize’s dad sold the family home and closed his small business to fund the snooker sensation’s journey to becoming world champion. Wu, 22, defeated Shaun Murphy 18-17 in Monday’s breathless final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
The epic clash marked the tournament’s first 35th-frame decider since 2002, allowing Wu to become the second youngest champion in history while collecting a hefty £500,000 prize alongside the sport’s most prestigious trophy.
Wu also became the second Chinese player in a row to claim the world title, following fellow countryman Zhao Xintong’s ground-breaking success in 2025, when he became the first Chinese star to achieve the honour. But none of it would have been possible without the sacrifices of his parents, especially the financial ones his dad made.
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A hashtag on Chinese social media platform Weibo referencing Wu’s father selling the family home in Lanzhou, in north-west China, to invest in his son’s snooker dream went viral after his triumph, amassing 18 million views by midday on Tuesday.
Wu’s dad also closed his antique shop so he could travel the country alongside his son, before the pair eventually moved to Sheffield together.
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The snooker sensation’s parents were left in tears during Monday’s trophy ceremony as he hailed them the “true champions”. He said: “Since I made the decision to drop out of school, my dad has been at my side. My mum has also gone through a lot over the years. They are the source of my strength. I love them so much.”
China’s recent rise to the top has triggered a huge increase in snooker’s popularity across the nation, as seen by the excitement Wu’s achievement generated online following the Sheffield showpiece.
On Chinese social media, the hashtag “Wu Yize wins the World Championship” gathered over 40million views on Weibo by Tuesday morning, briefly leading the site’s list of trending topics. A photograph from 2012 showing an eight-year-old Wu alongside Stephen Hendry in Lanzhou also re-emerged online, with a related hashtag gaining 2.9million views.
Online support also poured in from fellow Chinese snooker stars. Last year’s champion Zhao, who was knocked out of this year’s tournament by Murphy, took to social media to write: “This is Chinese snooker, congratulations Wu Yize.”
Chinese trailblazer Ding Junhui, who made it to the final back in 2016, went a stop further on Weibo, posting: “This is not just a breakthrough, rather our era is approaching now! Happy for you and proud that Chinese snooker can make it to this day.”
The Dongguan Billiards Association, where Wu trained in 2019 and which has played a key role in nurturing elite Chinese talent, including Ding, also joined in the celebrations. A statement read: “Your growth from a young dreamer to a world champion is… a testament to the vigorous rise of a new generation of Chinese snooker strength.”
Wu, who draped himself in the Chinese flag following his victory, also received congratulations from the official Communist Party newspaper, People’s Daily.
