Wu Yize Snooker Comeback: Rising Star Shines
- The ascent of October 14, 2003-born Wu Yize continues to capture the attention of the snooker world, with the 22-year-old Chinese player currently ranked 13th as of February...
- Wu Yize’s breakthrough moment came in November 2025, when he secured his first ranking title at the International Championship, defeating John Higgins 10-6 in the final.
- O’Sullivan, who has practiced with Wu in Hong Kong, believes the young Chinese star has the potential to reach the very pinnacle of the sport.
The ascent of -born Wu Yize continues to capture the attention of the snooker world, with the 22-year-old Chinese player currently ranked 13th as of . His rapid rise has drawn comparisons to both Paul Hunter and, surprisingly, Steve Davis, from those within the sport, including six-time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Wu Yize’s breakthrough moment came in November , when he secured his first ranking title at the International Championship, defeating John Higgins 10-6 in the final. That victory not only marked his first professional title but also propelled him into the top 16 of the world rankings for the first time in his career. During the tournament, Wu showcased his attacking prowess, compiling an impressive 14 century breaks.
O’Sullivan, who has practiced with Wu in Hong Kong, believes the young Chinese star has the potential to reach the very pinnacle of the sport. I think Wu Yize is going to be world number one, I’d give him three years, definitely going to be world champion very, very soon, phenomenal player,
O’Sullivan stated to World Snooker Tour. O’Sullivan’s assessment highlights the significant impact Wu has made on a relatively short period, turning professional in .
The comparisons to snooker legends are noteworthy. While some, like Higgins, see echoes of the late Paul Hunter in Wu’s game, O’Sullivan views him as a modern-day Steve Davis
. This comparison speaks to Wu’s potentially methodical and dominant style, reminiscent of Davis’s six World Championship titles.
Wu’s journey to prominence began with success at a young age. He claimed the IBSF U-21 World Championship in , defeating Pongsakorn Chongjairak of Thailand 6-4 in the final when he was just fourteen years old. This early victory signaled his potential and paved the way for future opportunities.
He first received a wildcard entry to the 2019 International Championship in Daqing, where he faced a tough challenge against John Higgins, losing a close match 5-6. He also competed in the 2019 Six-red World Championship in Bangkok, reaching the last 32 after navigating the group stage, but again fell to Higgins, this time by a score of 4-6. At the 2019 World Open in Yushan, he faced Luca Brecel, losing 2-5, but demonstrated his break-building ability with scores of 85 and 130.
Wu earned his tour card for the and snooker seasons as a result of his performances on the 2021 CBSA China Tour. His debut season culminated in being named the World Snooker Tour’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ in May , following three last-32 appearances in ranking events.
More recently, Wu demonstrated his growing confidence and skill at the Johnstone’s Paint Masters in January , where he defeated Shaun Murphy 6-2, ending Murphy’s hopes for back-to-back titles. He also had a strong showing at the Masters, defeating both Shaun Murphy and Xiao Guodong before a narrow 6-5 defeat to eventual champion Kyren Wilson in the semi-finals.
As of today, , Wu Yize has made 119 century breaks throughout his professional career. His current ranking of 13th reflects his consistent performance and upward trajectory. The snooker world will be watching closely to see if O’Sullivan’s prediction of a future World Championship and world number one ranking will come to fruition.