IS SNOOKER ON THE VERGE OF CHINESE TAKEOVER? WU YIZE REVEALS WHAT HE LOVES MOST ABOUT SPORT AFTER LANZHOU LION'S EPIC WORLD.l CHAMPIONSHIP TRIUMPH

"Wu's next?" is the question you might be asking after the 50th World Championship delivered a stylish Chinese winner for the second straight year.

Wu Yize of China poses with the World Snooker Championship trophy after defeating Shaun Murphy of England 18-17 in the final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, May 4, 2026. /VCG

Wu Yize became the fourth straight first-time holder of the sport's greatest trophy with an epic 18-17 victory over 2005 champion Shaun Murphy, in only the fourth final-frame decider since Sheffield first staged the event in 1977.

The Lanzhou Lion with the ferocious long game has explained why he revels in the quieter moments of the sport, which saw him defeat Lei Peifan (10-2), Mark Selby (13-11), Hossein Vafaei (13-8) and Mark Allen (17-16) before toppling the freewheeling Murphy in a heavyweight title match.

"I wish to stay healthy and keep playing snooker," said Wu, speaking to media in China. "I hope it can always be by my side for the rest of my life.

"Loneliness is an integral part of snooker. It's a quiet sport that demands patience and reflection. I think it's truly a blessing to take it as a passion."

With a record 11 players from China appearing on the starting grid this year, and the world's second-most populous country of 1.4 billion boasting back-to-back Crucible winners, it is worth wondering if we are at the start of Chinese domination of the sport.

Indeed, in Wu and last year's world champion Zhao Xintong, China have two players inside the top five of the game's ranking for the first time.

Yet when you look at the changes in the rankings over the past decade, it is probably a case of the more things change, the more they stay the same.

While China can boast five players inside the top 16, there is hardly a revolution underway, certainly not in terms of the world rankings, which were first published 50 years ago.

Selby was world No. 1 after he defeated Ding Junhui 18-14 in the 2016 final in Sheffield, with Ding the only Chinese player inside the top 16.

Judd Trump, Murphy, Neil Robertson, John Higgins, Mark Allen, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, Barry Hawkins and Kyren Wilson were all among the elite a decade ago.

And they remain inside the top 16 in 2026 with Stuart Bingham, Ricky Walden, Joe Perry, Marco Fu and Martin Gould the men to drop out, and Zhao, Wu, Xiao Guodong, Chris Wakelin and Si Jiahui the new arrivals.

It means a quarter of the top 16 are from China, but age is perhaps a better indicator of future patterns.

While Zhao, Wu and Si are all in their 20s, of the remaining 12 non-Chinese professionals, three are in their 50s, five their 40s and the other four in their 30s.

"Snooker is a very comprehensive and challenging sport," said Wu. "It can be different every time. You never get the same ball layout twice. I really enjoy that ever-changing feel of the game. "

The rankings feel like they are never-changing, appearing to move as quickly as Wu and Mark Allen's longest Crucible frame in Sheffield.

Time is probably on China's side, but as the rankings show, a similar narrative was also being spouted a decade ago.

World rankings 2015/16

1. Mark Selby (Eng)

2. Stuart Bingham (Eng)

3. Judd Trump (Eng)

4. Shaun Murphy (Eng)

5. Neil Robertson (Aus)

6. John Higgins (Sco)

7. Mark Allen (NI)

8. Ricky Walden (Eng)

9. Ding Junhui (Chn)

10. Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)

11. Joe Perry (Eng)

12. Marco Fu (HK)

13. Mark Williams (Wal)

14. Barry Hawkins (Eng)

15. Martin Gould (Eng)

16. Kyren Wilson (Eng)

World rankings 2025/26

1. Judd Trump (Eng)

2. Neil Robertson (Aus)

3. Zhao Xintong (Chn)

4. Wu Yize (Chn)

5. John Higgins (Sco)

6. Shaun Murphy (Eng)

7. Mark Williams (Wal)

8. Kyren Wilson (Eng)

9. Mark Selby (Eng)

10. Barry Hawkins (Eng)

11. Xiao Guodong (Chn)

12. Mark Allen (NI)

13. Chris Wakelin (Eng)

14. Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng)

15. Ding Junhui (Chn)

16. Si Jiahui (Chn)

- DESMOND KANE

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZE MONEY. .

The World Snooker Tour have confirmed that the prize fund for the 2027 World Championship will rise

The World Snooker Tour have announced that the prize fund for next year's World Championship will rise to £3million. The UK Championship will also receive a £1.5m uplift.

The opening round of the World Snooker Championship is currently taking place at the Crucible. Defending champion Zhao Xintong overcame a challenging first session against Liam Highfield to progress, with Mark Allen and John Higgins also going through.

Kyren Wilson delivered a remarkable fightback from 7-3 behind to prevent giving Stan Moody a surprise win on his debut. The 2024 champion secured a 10-7 triumph against the teenage prodigy and faced criticism for his excessive celebrations

From next year, competitors will be playing for a bigger prize fund in Sheffield following approval of a 25 per cent rise. The overall pool has been increased to £3m, up from £2.4m.

The victor will receive £625,000, up from £500k. The UK Championship will also benefit from a substantial financial boost when it takes place in York later in November.

Competitors will battle for their portion of £1.5m, up from £1.2m. The winner will claim £312,500, an improvement on last year's figure of £250k that Mark Selby secured.

The WST confirmed that comparable financial increases will be implemented for each stage of both competitions. Complete details of the prize money distributions will be revealed in due course.

Meanwhile, Judd Trump takes on Gary Wilson and Chris Wakelin meets Liam Pullen in the World Championship this morning. Ronnie O'Sullivan returns to the Crucible in the 2.30pm session as he faces He Guoqiang in his quest to win his eighth World Championship crown.

Shaun Murphy will finish his final session against Fan Zhengyi, with the Englishman holding a 5-4 advantage ahead of their 7pm encounter.

On Wednesday, Wakelin and Pullen wrap up their match with Mark Selby going head-to-head against Jak Jones. Si Jiahui meets Hossein Vafaei in the afternoon and Neil Robertson plays Pang Junxu in the evening session.

- Abbie Meehan

FORMER SNOOKER WORLD CHAMPION TERRY GRIFFITH DIES AGED 77 FOLLOWING LONG BATTLE WITH DEMENTIA - AS WORLD NUMBER ONE JUDD TRUMP LEADS

• Snooker icon famously won at Crucible in 1979 in second professional tournament

• He went on to win Masters and UK Championship to complete career Triple Crown 

• Griffiths then became an esteemed coach working with the game's top players

Former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77 after a long battle with dementia.

The legendary Welshman famously won at the Crucible in 1979 as a qualifier in just his second professional tournament.

The Welshman won a career Triple Crown before moving into coaching upon his retirement

Griffiths went on to win the Masters and UK Championship to complete a career Triple Crown before becoming an esteemed coach and working with some of the game's top players, including Mark Williams and Mark Allen.

'It is incredibly sad news,' said Judd Trump after winning the UK Championship in York on Sunday night. 'He is a legend of the game.

'Terry was a very witty guy. Whenever I was at the Welsh Open, he would come over and make a joke. I had a good connection with him.

'It is hard to connect with some of the older generation but he was someone I felt I could get along with. It is a sad day for Welsh sport.'

World No3 Allen posted on social media: 'What a legend of a man who helped shape my career and life both on and off the table. Absolutely heart broken. He wasn't just a coach, he was family.'

Griffiths pictured alongside Dennis Taylor during the the Embassy World Professional snooker championship in Sheffield

Shaun Murphy, who in 2005 became the only man since Griffiths to win a world title as a qualifier, said: 'Just hearing the news that Terry Griffiths has passed away. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones 

The World Snooker Tour's official X account posted: 'We are deeply saddened tonight to hear that Terry Griffiths, a former World Champion and all-time snooker great, has passed away at the age of 77.

'Our sincere condolences to Terry's family and many friends. He was loved and respected by everyone in the sport.'

The Welsh Billiards and Snooker Association said: 'We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of WBSA President Terry Griffiths OBE. 

'We send our deepest condolences to Terry's family. 

'RIP Griff.'

Griffiths pictured at the Embassy World Snooker championships at Sheffield Crucible Theatre

BBC Wales journalist Sue Charles added: 'Sad to say goodbye to a Llanelli legend. My dad Phil, was in school with Terry Griffiths. 

'One of his favourite tales was that they’d both occasionally skipped school to play snooker, which worked out much better for one than the other! Farewell Terry, forever a world champion.' 

The WPBSA posted on X: 'This evening we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our 1979 world snooker champion Terry Griffiths OBE at the age of 77. All our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.'

Griffiths's memorable win in 1979 was only the second time a qualifier had won snooker's premier competition after Alex Higgins achieved the feat seven years prior. 

After his final appearance at the Crucible in 1997, Griffiths commentated on major matches for the BBC.

He was awarded an OBE for services to snooker in 2007.