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Wu Yize’s dramatic victory over Mark Allen late on Saturday evening means China have a World Championship finalist for the second successive year.
It also vindicates his decision to move to Sheffield as a 16-year-old to pursue his dream.
The 22-year-old, who initially lived in a windowless flat and slept on the same bed as his father after the move to the UK from his home city of Lanzhou, turned professional at 17 and is now just one win away from the sport’s biggest prize.
Should he defeat Shaun Murphy in the best-of-35 frames showpiece match, he would become the second youngest player to win a world crown behind Stephen Hendry.
“I want to give my best efforts and everything I have got to try to win the World Championship,” Wu told BBC Sport after defeating Northern Ireland’s Allen.
“Shaun Murphy has been playing well throughout the tournament, he beat Zhao Xintong and he’s been playing well in terms of scoring, so it’s going to be a very tough match but I believe both players are going to give their best.”
While the final pits two of the most attacking players in snooker against each other, it is also a contest between different generations.
Wu was only 18 months old when when Murphy won his only previous world title to date in 2005 – also as a 22-year-old.
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Judging by the manner in which Wu advanced past Lei Peifan, Mark Selby, Hossein Vafaei and Allen, he looks ready to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Zhao – having been tipped as a future world champion by both Ronnie O’Sullivan and Murphy.
“[Zhao’s success] definitely made me believe in myself more because he made history,” he added.
Wu, who enjoys playing mobile games like Honour of Kings and League of Legends and watching his favourite movie The Shawshank Redemption, is regarded as the sport’s new superstar in the making.
The game’s most decorated player, O’Sullivan, and Scottish great John Higgins have previously offered advice and guidance.
The 2025-26 season has been a breakthrough campaign for Wu.
He claimed his first ranking title at the International Championship in Nanjing last November, then reached the semi-finals of the Masters on his debut.
That form has enabled him to rise up to 10th in the world rankings and he could potentially climb as high as fourth if he picks up the silverware on Monday.
However, things have not always come easy for Wu, who told the media this week that he would purchase his ideal home if he collects the winner’s cheque of £500,000.
His mother, who is in Sheffield for the tournament, still lives in China and is only an occasional visitor to the UK.
“In the beginning there was not a lot of prize money, so there was definitely a lot of pressure and also there was a lot for myself to improve in terms of my game, so I was definitely feeling the pressure at the time,” said Wu.
“I wasn’t mentally in a good place, but I’m really happy I overcame many difficulties to come to here to where I am today.”
Aside from his swashbuckling and fearless attacking play, there is one other notable thing that stands out where Wu is concerned – his mullet hairstyle.
While that has been dispensed with recently, it highlights that he is not afraid to display his individuality in a sport known for its formal attire and disciplined appearance and that attitude could yet carry him to glory.
