Wu Yize defeats Shaun Murphy 18-17 in deciding frame to win World Championship

Wu's opening burst included an 88 break while closing frames produced runs of 70, 56 and 91 as he built early leads.

Murphy contributed notable breaks of 82, 65 and 131 in the match, underpinning his strong challenge to Wu.

The victory follows Zhao Xintong's 2025 triumph as China's first world champion, highlighted as part of a growing Chinese presence in the sport.

Davis and Parrott described Wu as showing great character in becoming the new world champion.

Murphy congratulated Wu and said he could not have given the final any more, expressing respect for Wu's performance.

Murphy has now endured the disappointment of losing four World Championship finals.

Wu is three months younger than Murphy was when he won his first world title in 2005, and sits only behind Stephen Hendry, who was 21 when he first won the title in 1990.

The win earns Wu £500,000 and lifts him to fourth in the world rankings, coming from outside the elite top 16 at the start of the season.

Wu sealed the historic win with a nerveless break of 85 in the final frame.

Murphy replied with a run of 75 to level at 17-17 and force the deciding 35th frame.

Having resumed at 13-12 in Wu's favour, he opened the frame with a break of 88 and posted further runs of 70, 56 and 91, though could not pull clear of Murphy.

The match went to a final 35th frame—the first time the final has gone to a deciding frame since 2002.

Wu Yize defeated Shaun Murphy 18-17 in the World Championship final at the Crucible, becoming the second-youngest player to be crowned a Crucible champion. The win follows Zhao Xintong's 2025 Chinese victory.