Wu Yize – Age, Ranking, Net Worth and World Champion 2026
At just 22 years old, Wu Yize etched his name into snooker history on May 4, 2026, when he defeated Shaun Murphy 18–17 in a dramatic final-frame decider at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The victory made him the second-youngest world champion ever, the second Chinese player to claim the title, and the first player born after 2000 to lift the trophy. For a full profile, the Wikipedia page for Wu Yize offers comprehensive biographical detail.
Wu’s journey from a small apartment in Lanzhou to the pinnacle of world snooker has captivated fans across the globe. His father sold his antique store to fund Wu’s move to Sheffield at age 16, and for three years the pair shared a single bed in a one-bedroom flat with no window. Today, Wu is a world champion.
What is Wu Yize’s current ranking and how can I follow his live scores?
After winning the 2026 World Snooker Championship, Wu Yize’s world ranking soared from 10th to 4th, a career best. This places him firmly among the elite of the sport. Fans can follow his progress through official tournament broadcasters and the World Snooker Tour website, which provides live scoring during all ranking events. For detailed match statistics, the World Snooker Tour player profile is the definitive source.
4 (as of May 2026)
22 (born 14 Oct 2003)
Chinese
2026 (second youngest)
- Wu Yize became world champion at age 22, second youngest in history after Stephen Hendry (21).
- He is currently ranked World No. 4, a direct result of his 2026 title victory.
- Born in Lanzhou, Gansu, he started playing snooker at age 7.
- His father introduced him to the sport and supported his early training.
- Wu Yize is the second Chinese player to win the World Championship after Zhao Xintong.
- Prize money from the World Championship is £500,000, but total net worth is not publicly known.
- He won the title in only his third appearance at the Crucible.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Wu Yize |
| Date of Birth | 14 October 2003 |
| Place of Birth | Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Sport | Snooker |
| Turned Professional | c. 2019/2020 |
| Highest Ranking (current) | World No. 4 |
| Career Wins | World Championship (2026), multiple youth titles |
| World Championship Title(s) | 1 (2026) |
| Active Since | c. 2010 |
How old is Wu Yize, and what are his height, family background, and residence?
Wu Yize was born on October 14, 2003, in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province in northwest China. As of July 2026, he is 22 years old. His height is not officially recorded, but Chinese media describe him as “tall and lanky,” which has contributed to his nickname “Priest Wu” (or “Daoist Priest”) among fans.
Parents and family
Wu’s father played a pivotal role in his career. He introduced Wu to billiards at age 7, guided his early training, and later sold his antique store to finance Wu’s move to Sheffield when he was 16. Wu has said: “My parents are the true champions” and called them the “source of my strength.” His mother has not been named in available sources, and his father’s name is also not widely published in English-language media.
For three years after moving to the UK, Wu and his father shared a single bed in a one-bedroom flat with no window while Wu adapted to a new language and culture. His father’s decision to sell the family antique store underscored the depth of their commitment to Wu’s snooker dream.
Where does Wu Yize live?
Wu is based in China, likely in or near his birthplace of Lanzhou, but he also spends significant time in Sheffield, UK, during the snooker season. His precise residential address is not public, but his training base has historically been in Sheffield.
Marital status
There is no credible public information indicating that Wu Yize is married or has a wife. Given his age and focus on his professional career, he is believed to be unmarried.
What is Wu Yize’s net worth and prize money?
Wu Yize’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed. However, his 2026 World Championship victory came with a prize of £500,000 (approximately $676,000). Runner-up Shaun Murphy received £200,000. Wu also earned £20,000 from the 2025 Saudi Arabia Masters, where he reached the Last 32. These are the only confirmed tournament earnings available.
Wu Yize’s confirmed tournament prize money includes £500,000 from the 2026 World Championship and £20,000 from the 2025 Saudi Arabia Masters. Other earnings from ranking events, sponsorships, and exhibitions are not publicly itemised. His total net worth remains unverified.
While the £500,000 world title prize is substantial, Wu’s overall net worth is not tracked by any official public source. Neither his sponsorship agreements nor any personal investments have been disclosed. Any figures beyond confirmed tournament winnings are speculative.
Does Wu Yize speak English?
Wu Yize moved to Sheffield, UK, at age 16 to train professionally, which required adapting to a new language and culture. While he has conducted interviews in Chinese, his English proficiency has not been explicitly confirmed in available media. Given his extended residence in England, it is reasonable to assume he has some command of English, but no public interview or statement from him in English has been widely circulated.
Timeline of Wu Yize’s career milestones
- 14 Oct 2003 – Born in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China.
- c. 2010 – Introduced to billiards by his father at age 7.
- 2018 – Won the IBSF World Under-21 Snooker Championship at age 14 (later also won at age 15).
- 2019/2020 – Turned professional.
- 2025/2026 – Rose to top 16 and qualified for the World Championship.
- 4 May 2026 – Defeated Shaun Murphy 18–17 to win the World Snooker Championship, becoming the second-youngest champion ever.
What is known and what remains uncertain about Wu Yize?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Full name, birth date and place (Wikipedia, WPBSA) | Height – no official record; only estimates based on images |
| Current ranking World No. 4 (official sources) | Net worth – not publicly disclosed; only prize money is known |
| World Championship win in 2026 (multiple sources) | Mother’s name – not widely reported |
| Father’s role and sacrifice (press reports) | Marital status – no credible sources; likely unmarried |
| Age: 22 (born 2003) | English proficiency – assumed but not confirmed in interviews |
What is the significance of Wu Yize’s victory?
Wu Yize’s triumph places him in an elite group. Only Stephen Hendry (21) and Ronnie O’Sullivan (22 in his first title) have achieved world championship glory at a comparable age. His victory also deepens China’s growing footprint in snooker, following Ding Junhui’s pioneering success and Zhao Xintong’s 2021 world title. Wu’s composed, methodical playing style – which earned him the nickname “Priest Wu” – has drawn comparisons to snooker’s great tacticians. Winning at the Crucible Theatre, the sport’s most hallowed venue, adds extra weight to his achievement.
Sources and key quotes about Wu Yize
“Wu Yize, 22, receives a rock star’s welcome after becoming second-youngest player to win a world title.”
— BBC News
“He first encountered billiards at the age of 7 and showed extraordinary talent. His father supported him.”
— Reddit translation of Chinese press
“Wu surpassed all expectations by winning the sport’s biggest tournament, the World Championship, in 2026 at the age of just 22.”
— World Snooker Tour
For an official profile, the Wikipedia page for Wu Yize is the most comprehensive starting point. The World Snooker Tour player profile provides match statistics, and the BBC News article covers his champion’s welcome. Additional details are available from the WPBSA profile and a Reddit post translating Chinese press coverage.
What’s next for Wu Yize?
As the reigning world champion, Wu Yize will defend his title at the 2027 World Championship. He has the potential to climb to World No. 1, and the victory is expected to bring increased media attention and sponsorship opportunities. Exhibitions and tournaments in China are also likely, given his homecoming celebrations. His trajectory mirrors that of other young champions, and his composure under pressure suggests a long career at the top.
For further reading, see Snooker World Championship 2026 Results and Top Chinese Snooker Players.
Frequently asked questions about Wu Yize
What is Wu Yize’s father’s name?
His father’s name is not widely published in English sources, but he is known to have introduced Wu Yize to snooker.
Does Wu Yize have a wife?
There is no credible public information about a wife or spouse. He is likely focused on his snooker career.
What is Wu Yize’s mother’s name?
His mother has not been named in available sources.
How tall is Wu Yize?
Wu Yize’s height is not officially recorded. Sources describe him as “tall and lanky,” but no exact figure has been published.
Where does Wu Yize live?
He is based in China, likely in or near Lanzhou (his birthplace) or Sheffield (UK) during the snooker season, but his precise residence is not public.
When did Wu Yize start playing snooker?
He started playing at age 7 after his father introduced him to billiards.
How much prize money did Wu Yize win at the 2026 World Championship?
He won £500,000 (approximately $676,000) for his world title victory.
Is Wu Yize the youngest world snooker champion ever?
No, he is the second-youngest. Stephen Hendry was 21 when he won his first world title. Wu is 22.
How many times has Wu Yize appeared at the Crucible?
He won the world title in only his third appearance at the Crucible Theatre.
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