Snooker icon Stephen Hendry urges European players to rise against China’s growing control of the sport following back-to-back Crucible triumphs by Chinese stars.

Recent Chinese Victories at the Crucible

Zhao Xintong claimed the World Snooker Championship title in 2025, while Wu Yize secured victory in 2026 by defeating Shaun Murphy in the final. The seven-time champion Hendry maintains the record as the youngest winner, but Wu, at 22, now ranks second on that list.

The main draw in Sheffield featured 11 Chinese players out of 32, surpassed only by England’s 13 entrants.

Hendry Praises Chinese Talent and Calls for European Response

“It’s incredible, the talent coming from China now. The young talent is incredible,” Hendry stated. “They are taking the game to new levels. We need some young blood from these shores—obviously with Stan Moody, Liam Pullen did really well, Antoni Kowalski did really well at the World Championship. These three are going to have to step up if they’re going to keep up with the likes of Xintong and Wu Yize.”

Promising European Prospects

England’s 19-year-old Stan Moody made his Crucible debut, grabbing an early lead against former champion Kyren Wilson before falling 10-7. Fellow Englishman Liam Pullen, 20, also debuted and claimed six frames from Chris Wakelin.

Poland’s Antoni Kowalski, 22, became the nation’s first World Championship main draw player after navigating three qualifying rounds, though Mark Williams ended his run 10-4 in the first round.

Wu Yize Eyes Long-Term Stay in Sheffield

New champion Wu Yize, also 22, advanced past the first round for the first time, overcoming former world champions Murphy and Mark Selby. He plans to remain in Sheffield, his home since age 16.

“I don’t have any plans,” Wu said after his thrilling 18-17 final win. “I think I will buy a house or an apartment in Sheffield for practice and the World Championship.”

High Praise for Finalist Shaun Murphy

Hendry lauded losing finalist Shaun Murphy, 43, for his semi-final performance against reigning champion Zhao Xintong. “It was nigh on the perfect session,” Hendry noted. “I don’t think Shaun will have ever played as good a session; it was a super-human performance and it needed that to take out Zhao Xintong, because he wasn’t playing badly.”

Murphy responded with humor, suggesting the pundit required intervention after the glowing review.