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Wu Yize Beats Murphy in Decider to Win World Championship
Wu Yize defeated Shaun Murphy 18-17 in the World Championship final to become the second-youngest Crucible champion. The match reached its first final-frame decider since 2002, with Wu sealing the victory in the final frame through an 85-break after Murphy forced a decider with a 75. Wu's win comes after Zhao Xintong's 2025 triumph and propels him to fourth in the world rankings with a £500,000 prize.
Why It Matters
The victory marks a historic rise for a young Chinese player on snooker's biggest stage and continues China's growing success at the Crucible era.
Timeline
13 Events
Davis and Parrott praise Wu after win
May 4, 2026
Davis and Parrott described Wu as showing great character after becoming world champion.
Murphy's reaction after defeat
May 4, 2026
Murphy said he had been very close and could not have tried harder, offering congratulations to Wu and his team.
Wu's age context among champions
May 4, 2026
Wu is three months younger than Murphy was when Murphy won his only world title in 2005 and sits behind Stephen Hendry, who was 21 when he first won in 1990, making Wu the second-youngest world champion.
Prize and world ranking update for Wu
May 4, 2026
Wu received the £500,000 top prize and rose to fourth in the world rankings.
Final frame seals the title with an 85-break
May 4, 2026
In the final frame, Wu produced a nerveless break of 85 to clinch the World Championship title.
Murphy forces a decider with a 75 in the 35th frame
May 4, 2026
Murphy seized the opportunity with a 75 to force a 35th and deciding frame.
Wu misses a simple shot in the penultimate frame
May 4, 2026
In the penultimate frame, Wu failed to knock in a simple shot, giving Murphy a reprieve and a path back into the frame.
Murphy responds with breaks including 82, 65 and 131
May 4, 2026
Murphy replied with breaks of 82, 65 and a sublime 131 to keep the match alive.
Wu builds further with runs of 70, 56 and 91
May 4, 2026
Wu added further runs of 70, 56 and 91, including a sensational pot on the yellow with the rest.
Wu opens the resumed frame with an 88-break
May 4, 2026
Wu opened the resumed frame with a break of 88, extending his advantage as the tension built.
Final resumes with Wu leading 13-12
May 4, 2026
The World Championship final resumed with Wu Yize leading 13-12 after the interval, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
Zhao Xintong wins 2025 World Championship (China's first)
2025
In 2025, Zhao Xintong became China's first player to win the World Championship.
2002 World Championship final ends in a final-frame decider
2002
The World Championship final in 2002 finished in a final-frame decider when Peter Ebdon beat Stephen Hendry.