Wu Yize stunned Mark Allen in a showdown to book a place in the 2026 World Snooker Championship final, giving China its finalist. The 22‑year‑old, who moved from Lanzhou to Sheffield at 16, rose from a flat to the sport’s stage. He sealed it with a long pot in the deciding frame; a win over Shaun Murphy would make him the second youngest world champion.

His breakthrough season includes a maiden ranking title at the International Championship in Nanjing and a Masters semi‑final on debut, propelling him to 10th in the world rankings. Wu told reporters the winner’s cheque of £500,000 would allow him to buy his ideal home, a goal that fuels his ambition.

Facing Murphy, another aggressive exponent who lifted his sole world title in 2005, Wu will test his fearless, attacking instincts against a seasoned veteran. Beyond his swashbuckling play, his now‑shortened mullet signals a willingness to break snooker’s traditional image. A victory would cement Wu as the sport’s emerging superstar and likely push his ranking into the top four.

Fans packed the Crucible Theatre, chanting Wu’s name as he prepared for the final, underscoring the growing appetite for Chinese talent in snooker.