Wu Yize became China’s second world snooker champion after defeating Shaun Murphy in the deciding game of the final at the Crucible Theater on Monday.
With his 18-17 victory, the 22-year-old Wu became the second youngest winner in the world after Stephen Hendry at the age of 21 in 1990.
Wu follows in the footsteps of Zhao Xintong, who 12 months ago became the first ever Asian champion at a major stage in a sport whose stronghold has been in England.
“All of a sudden, the floodgates have opened,” six-time world champion Steve Davis said of China’s back-to-back wins.
“The style in which they play is the benchmark for European and English players to come.”
Wu’s improbable win – he had never won a match at the Crucible before this year – came in his fourth straight final, and first since 2002.
