Wu Yize, at just 22 years old, has been crowned the 2026 World Snooker Champion, defeating veteran Shaun Murphy in a thrilling 18-17 deciding frame at the Crucible Theatre. The victory not only marks a historic moment for the young talent but also secures him a record-breaking winner’s prize of £500,000, the largest individual payout in the tournament’s fifty-year history at the iconic venue.
The final, which concluded this week, was the first to go to a deciding frame since 2002, underscoring the nail-biting encounter between Wu Yize and Murphy. Wu Yize’s triumph makes him the second-youngest winner of the tournament, a feat only surpassed by Stephen Hendry, who claimed his first world title at 21 in 1990. For Shaun Murphy, a former champion in 2005 and currently ranked sixth in the world, it was a bitter fourth defeat in a Crucible showpiece, though he collected a substantial consolation prize of £200,000 as runner-up.
A record payout and tax implications
The £500,000 winner’s cheque for Wu Yize represents a significant milestone in snooker prize money. However, the financial implications extend beyond the headline figure. According to GiveMeSport, approximately £225,000 is expected to be deducted from Wu Yize’s prize due to UK tax regulations. The tournament’s overall prize structure saw considerable sums distributed:
- Semi-finalists (e.g., Mark Allen, John Higgins): £100,000
- Quarter-finalists (e.g., Zhao Xintong, Barry Hawkins): £50,000
- Round of 16 participants (e.g., Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump): £30,000
- Round of 32 participants (e.g., Liam Pullen, Gary Wilson): £20,000
Chang Bingyu’s perfect break and notable exits
While Wu Yize dominated the main event, the qualifying rounds saw a moment of perfection from Chang Bingyu. He produced a 147 maximum break, his second career 147, replicating his feat from the 2025 UK Championship. Despite this achievement, Chang Bingyu lost 10-8 to 2023 world champion Luca Brecel in qualifying. He still received an extra £15,000 for the highest break prize, contributing to his total prize sum of £172,000, as nobody achieved a maximum break in the primary stage of the World Championship.
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The tournament also witnessed some high-profile early exits. Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, who had previously predicted Wu Yize’s rise, was defeated in the Round of 16 against John Higgins, taking home £30,000. O’Sullivan had also made headlines earlier in the tournament for aiming a punch at the table following a second-round defeat. The 2026 World Snooker Championship will undoubtedly be remembered for its dramatic final, record prize money, and the emergence of a new young champion in Wu Yize.
Sources: www.givemesport.com
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