Wu Yize returned to China to a hero’s welcome when he appeared at a multi-billion dollar club in Xi’an on Thursday night after winning the World Snooker Championship.
The newly crowned champion returned to China last night, but still attended the meet and greet from 7pm to midnight.
The event included three sessions of autograph signings, photos and craft shows, but the second session was reportedly canceled due to overcrowding. The third session continued as planned.
Wu entered the venue at around 8pm, where fans “shouted” at him to welcome him, because the pronunciation of his surname “Wu” is similar to the Chinese word for mockery.
A fan from Gansu who works in Xi’an said he traveled to “join the excitement” after seeing news of his appearance on social media, adding that he was proud to see a player from his home province win. Wu was born in Lanzhou in Gansu province.
Several attendees were chosen to play against the 22-year-old or take pictures, but fans on social media described the plans as chaotic.
