Wu Yiren reads a picture book at his kindergarten in Dalang township, Dongguan city, Guangdong province, on Sept 1, 2025. CHEN FAN/FOR CHINA DAILY
Wu Yiren, a six-year-old from a kindergarten in Dalang township, Dongguan, Guangdong province, has gained online fame for his passion for snooker. Too short to reach the table, he often brings a custom-made height booster to competitions — an endearing sight that has quickly won hearts online.
His father, Wu Zhijian, a doctor and longtime snooker enthusiast, often spent evenings playing with friends. The younger Wu would watch quietly nearby, and through this constant exposure, he gradually developed a strong interest in the sport. Recognizing the boy's passion, the family arranged lessons with Li Jianbing, a national team coach with the Chinese Billiard Sports Association. Under Li's guidance, Wu's skills have advanced at surprising speed.
Wu Yiren brings along his custom-made height booster to compete in Jiaxing city, East China's Zhejiang province, on April 24, 2025. CHEN FAN/FOR CHINA DAILY
According to his father, most of Wu's free time now goes into practice. The boy himself is clear-eyed about his ambition: he wants to train hard, master the fundamentals, and one day compete as a professional. His dream, he says, is to lift the World Snooker Championship trophy.
Wu's story reflects a bigger transformation underway in Dongguan. The city is shifting its focus from manufacturing equipment to nurturing talent, and from supporting industries to building a cultural snooker brand. By adopting a comprehensive industry chain approach, Dongguan is forging a new identity for itself as the "City of Snooker".
The year 2025 is remarkable for Chinese snooker. In May, China's Zhao Xintong became the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship in the United Kingdom, while Bai Yulu defended her title at the 2025 World Women's Snooker Championship in Dongguan by defeating the world's top-ranked player. This marks an unprecedented achievement for China, sweeping both the men's and women's world titles. Dongguan is rapidly becoming known as the "Cradle of Snooker Champions".
Wu Yiren often climbs onto the table to practice at Li Jianbing's snooker school in Dongguan, South China's Guangdong province, on April 21, 2025. CHEN FAN/FOR CHINA DAILY
Wu Yiren maintains composure while taking a shot, standing on a height booster to reach the table in Jiaxing city, East China's Zhejiang province on April 24, 2025. CHEN FAN/FOR CHINA DAILY
Wu Yiren's father shows a picture of his son meeting snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan in Shanghai on Sept 1, 2025. CHEN FAN/FOR CHINA DAILY
After a long drive from Guangdong province, Wu Yiren and his father arrive in Jiaxing city, East China's Zhejiang province, at dawn on April 22, 2025, to take part in a tournament. CHEN FAN/FOR CHINA DAILY
Li Jianbing, coach of Wu Yiren, demonstrates snooker techniques to his young student in Jiaxing city, East China's Zhejiang province, on April 26, 2025. CHEN FAN/FOR CHINA DAILY
Wu Yiren's father livestreams him playing snooker at home in Dalang township, Dongguan city, South China's Guangdong province, on the evening of Sept 1, 2025. CHEN FAN/FOR CHINA DAILY
Wu Yiren, the youngest trainee at Li Jianbing's snooker school in Dongguan, South China's Guangdong province, stands alongside other trainees on April 21, 2025. CHEN FAN/FOR CHINA DAILY
Editor:Cai Xiaohui
