Can China’s ‘new superstar’ take the Crucible by storm?

Current and former greats are tipping Wu Yize, aged just 22, for the very top as he begins his World Championship tilt

- LAWRENCE OSTLERE

Wu Yize hails from Lanzhou in the northwest of China, a city famous for its beef noodles.

It is a clear beef broth with radish slices, chilli oil and herbs, and aside from his family, it is the thing he misses most: there are plenty of Chinese restaurants in Sheffield, but they don’t do it like home.

It is a small cost for being one of the best young snooker players in the world. Wu moved his life to Yorkshire three years ago to be part of the growing stable of Chinese players in the city, and he could be the next superstar from the group. The 22-year-old reached finals at the English Open and Scottish Open last season, and comes into the World Snooker Championship as the 10th seed and among the contenders for the title.

He is another player off China’s impressive production line, like Zhao Xintong before him, who became the first Chinese world champion last year. Behind Wu comes Lan Yuhao, a precocious 17-year-old already impressing in his nascent career.

Wu was a natural talent at a young age. His mother ran the family antiques business while his father spent time taking him to snooker tournaments and nurturing his talent. Aged 11, his dad took him to the Yushan International Billiards Academy to be seen by the renowned Australian coach Roger Leighton.