Wu Yize Beats Shaun Murphy to Win World Snooker Championship at Crucible in Sheffield

Wu Yize won the World Snooker Championship in a deciding-frame thriller against Shaun Murphy at the Crucible in Sheffield, England, finishing 18-17 in the final.

“A new superstar of snooker”

BBC

The match went to a final-frame decider for the first time in 24 years and the fourth time in Crucible history, with the contest ending in the 35th and final frame.

BBC

Multiple reports described the decisive break as an 85: The New York Times said Wu “maintained his composure with a high-pressure break of 85 in the 35th and final frame,” while The Sun said “As he sunk his pot to seal the 35th frame of the final,” and talkSPORT said “he held his nerve in the 35th and final frame to prevail 18-17.”

The Independent also framed the finish as a first deciding frame in a world final since 2002, writing that Wu held his nerve “in a first deciding frame in a world final since 2002.”

Global Times put the score at “defeating England's Shaun Murphy in Sheffield, England, on May 4, 2026,” and said Wu became “the second-youngest champion in Crucible history.”

The Sun reported the prize as “£500,000,” while Daily Express and talkSPORT also tied the top prize to the same £500,000 figure, reinforcing that the title came with a major payday.

Across the accounts, the crowd’s “Wuuuuu” chants and the atmosphere at the Crucible were a recurring detail, with The New York Times describing “shouts of ‘Wuuuuu’ from an enraptured Crucible crowd” and The Guardian writing “Wuuuuuuuu!” as the chant intensified.

The final’s swing was described in detail across outlets, with Wu leading early and Murphy mounting a comeback before the decider.

The Sun said Wu picked up the title after “Shaun Murphy 17-18 Wu Yize,” and it described the match as “a final-frame shootout” where Wu “held his nerve.”

Daily Express

The Independent reported that Wu “had led 10-7 overnight” before losing “the first five frames on Monday” as Murphy “roared back into contention,” then Wu built “a 13-12 lead heading into the evening session.”

The New York Times similarly described that Wu took “a 10-7 lead overnight” and that Murphy won “five frames in a row to lead 12-10,” before Wu recovered to “lead 13-12 going into the final evening session.”

ESPN’s live account said Wu “held his nerve after being pegged back in the 34th frame,” and it described the deciding frame as featuring “an audacious yellow to the top left pocket” before Wu built “a winning break to seal the title.”

The New York Times said Murphy produced “an exceptional 131 break in the 32nd frame,” and it described Wu potting “an incredible yellow off the top cushion” in the following frame.

Flashscore’s French account provided a frame-by-frame account of the late swings, including that “Dans la 33e frame, Murphy a réalisé une série de 45” and that Wu then cleaned up with “91” to lead “17-16,” before the final frame ended with Wu’s “série de 85.”

talkSPORT’s recap described the same decisive arc, saying Wu “raced out to a 3-0 lead,” Murphy “roared back and rattled off four-straight frames,” and Wu then won “the next four to retake the lead.”

Wu Yize’s post-match remarks centered on his parents, with multiple outlets quoting him directly about their role and his own misunderstanding of the crowd.

“Wu Yize is the new world snooker champion after winning a stunning final vs”

ESPN

The Sun reported that Wu spoke with BBC Sport and said, “My parents are the true champions.”

It also included Wu’s explanation that “Since I made the decision to come out of school, my mum and dad has been by my side,” and it quoted him saying, “At the beginning I thought people were booing me but the staff told me they are cheering me on.”

The New York Times likewise quoted Wu saying, “At the beginning I had a misunderstanding, I thought people were booing me!” and it added, “Then they told me they were cheering me. I cannot thank you enough, our love of snooker is mutual.”

talkSPORT quoted Wu’s line that “My parents are the true champions,” and it repeated his detail that “Since I made the decision to drop out of school my dad has been by my side, my mum has been going through a lot.”

Global Times also quoted Wu’s gratitude, saying he became emotional and stated, “My sincere thanks to my parents,” and it quoted him saying, “They are the real champions.”

The Guardian’s live text captured Wu’s explanation, quoting him as saying, “At the beginning, I had a misunderstanding, I thought people were booing me,” and then “But then the staff told me they were cheering me up, so I can’t thank you enough.”

talkSPORT described that “his mother became visibly emotional and had to wipe away her tears of pride,” while The New York Times said Wu brought his parents “to tears.”

Global Times also quoted Wu on motivation, saying, “It was belief that kept me going,” and describing living “the same life” for “more than a month.”

Shaun Murphy’s reaction was described as gracious in defeat, with multiple outlets quoting his congratulations and his own earlier prediction.

Global Times reported that Murphy was “gracious in defeat” and quoted him saying, “I'd like to be the first to congratulate Wu,” and it included his remark, “I hate being right, I said sometime earlier in the season... that he will be the world champion one day.”

GB News

The New York Times also quoted Murphy’s line, saying, “I hate being right; sometime earlier in the season I came out (after beating Wu) and said he will be world champion one day.”

It further quoted Murphy’s assessment as “It’s just a real shame it was today.”

The Sun’s account described Murphy’s conduct as he “showed his class as he showerd Wu Yize with compliments,” and it said “As soon as the match was won, he took time to embrace his opponent.”

The Guardian’s live coverage similarly emphasized Murphy’s generosity, quoting him as saying, “I hate being right,” and it also included his earlier statement that “He will be world champion one day. It’s just a real shame it was today!”

Daily Express and talkSPORT both highlighted Ronnie O'Sullivan’s comments about Wu’s potential and his own mentoring, including O'Sullivan saying, “I’d help any player. I help players I like. If I think they've got potential and I think I could guide him in the right way.”

Daily Express also quoted O'Sullivan’s prediction, saying, “I think Wu Yize is going to be world No.1 in the next three years, definitely world champion very soon.”

talkSPORT quoted O'Sullivan’s comparison and prediction as well, including “He’s more like a modern-day Steve Davis.”

While Wu Yize and Shaun Murphy played the 50th edition of the world final at the Sheffield venue, GB News reported a separate incident involving an adult content creator identified as “Sasha Swan.”

“UK pubs closing at rate of two per day as 2,400 jobs lost WATCH NOW: Snooker icons pay tribute to John Virgo A woman has come forward to reveal herself after causing chaos at the Crucible on Sunday The woman who stormed the World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible on Sunday has been identified as an adult content creator known as "Sasha Swan"”

GB News

GB News said the woman “stormed the World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible on Sunday,” and it stated that she was “identified as an adult content creator known as "Sasha Swan".”

Global Times

The disruption occurred “during the third frame of the final,” when Swan “vaulted over the barriers and rushed towards the table while shouting about the TV licence fee.”

GB News quoted Swan’s expletive-laden statements, including that she declared “f*** the BBC and f*** snooker” and asserted “no one pays their TV licence.”

The report said security personnel responded swiftly, with “three staff members intercepting her before she could reach the playing area,” and it said she was “subsequently ejected from the venue.”

It also described the audience reaction, saying spectators “audibly booing the protest before breaking into applause once Swan had been removed from the arena.”

GB News further reported that referee Rob Spencer was pictured blocking the intruder’s path, and it said Swan later reshared the image with a crude caption expressing she “would love him to touch me more.”

In her explicit video statement, GB News quoted Swan confirming her involvement: “Yeah it was me, I did streak the snooker with my team.”

It added that she said, “I didn't manage to get them out because they kicked me out quickly.”

The same GB News report drew a comparison to a previous protest, stating that the incident drew comparisons to the “Just Stop Oil demonstration that disrupted proceedings at the 2023 World Championship,” when an activist “scattered orange powder across one of the tables at the Sheffield venue.”