BBC Asia reports: It is also the fairytale story of a young man who dropped out of school aged 16 to move to Sheffield, England, in pursuit of a dream to turn professional.He has now returned home as the second-youngest player ever to be crowned world champion.The BBC asked Wu what he thought of so many fans turning out to see him. He replied with a gentle smile: "It's great to feel the warmth of my homeland."Li Hao travelled from Wu Yize's home province to meet the champion, while Liu YiFei won the chance to play himThe baby-faced snooker magician showed off some shots to the ooh-ing and ah-ing audience, including when he played one fan, Liu YiFei.
She had won an earlier play-off here to have a hit with him.She said Wu Yize's success had made her more determined to improve her own skills, and that this country expected to see plenty more like him in the future."In China, so many more people are playing," she said. "More pool halls are opening, and the sport is becoming ever more popular."Wu Yize's dramatic victory over Shaun Murphy on Monday meant China had a world snooker champion for the second successive yearIt is estimated that some 60 million people play billiards in China ever year, in around 300,000 halls like the one in Xi'an.The country is now churning out high-quality snooker competitors.
Background
Now I love him even more," he said.Who is snooker's new superstar Wu?Wu beats Murphy in decider to win world titleAsiaChina
Originally reported by BBC Asia. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
