Fans in Xi'an Cheer Wu Yize's Return After World Snooker Title Win

Wu Yize walked into the TNT billiards club in Xi'an to cheers and chants that filled the room.

The 22-year-old waved shyly as fans mobbed the second-youngest player ever to win the World Snooker championship. He had just claimed the title this week, marking the second straight year a Chinese player took the crown.

His story added to the excitement. Wu dropped out of school at 16 to move to Sheffield, England, and chase a professional career. Now he has returned home at the top of his sport.

The BBC asked Wu about the turnout. With a gentle smile, he said, "It's great to feel the warmth of my homeland."

Wu demonstrated shots for the enthusiastic crowd, including a match against fan Liu YiFei. She had won a playoff for the chance to play him.

Liu said Wu's success motivated her to get better. "In China, so many more people are playing," she said. "More pool halls are opening, and the sport is becoming ever more popular."

About 60 million people play billiards in China each year across roughly 300,000 halls like the one in Xi'an. Chinese players now account for a quarter of professionals on the circuit, and that share should grow with new talent.

An eight-year-old boy told the BBC he was already skilled and hoped to become champion like Wu one day.

Snooker thrives in China partly because it costs little to play. That appeals in places like Xi'an, in western China, where economic growth lags behind the southeast.

Wu comes from Gansu province, farther west and known for its deserts, which adds a rags-to-riches element to his rise. Stories of him sharing a bed with his father in a windowless Sheffield flat as a teen make his win even sweeter. He plans to use his prize money to buy a place in England for his parents to support him.

One fan from Gansu traveled hours by high-speed train to Xi'an and brought a photo for Wu to sign.