Crowds cheer China's new snooker star on return from championship win

Crowds cheer China's new snooker star on return from championship win8 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleStephen McDonellChina correspondent, in Xi'anBBCCrowds gathered in Xi'an to welcome the world champion homeWu Yize entered the TNT billiards club to a welcome worthy of a rock star.Loud chanting and cheering rang around the room in the western Chinese city of Xi'an.He waved modestly, wearing the expression of a shy 22-year-old not used to such sudden fame at home.But that did not dampen the enthusiasm of those who had come to get a glimpse of someone on top of the world.Earlier this week, a Chinese player won the World Snooker championship for the second year in a row, and it has captivated this country.It is not only the repeat success driving this. 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 peopl...