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Wu Yize admits he thought the World Snooker Championship crowd were booing him - until being told otherwise. The newly-crowned world champion is set to go house hunting after claiming the Crucible's most coveted prize on Monday night. The 22-year-old became the second-youngest following a breathtaking victory over Shaun Murphy in a truly epic final.

Just 12 months after Zhao Xintong became the first Chinese player to lift the sport's most prestigious trophy, Yize followed in his countryman's footsteps in the tournament's first 35th-frame decider since 2002. Having never previously won a match at the iconic Sheffield venue before this year's tournament, the remarkable youngster hoisted the famous trophy and pocketed a cheque for £500,000 following his 18-17 triumph in the 50th Crucible final.

Yize already has firm plans for his winnings. Having shared a cramped room - and even a bed - with his father as he struggled to forge a career in the game after relocating to Sheffield six years ago in pursuit of his dream, he intends to purchase property for his parents and take them travelling on the back of his success.

His mother and father were visibly moved to tears during the trophy ceremony, and Yize said: "I have been trying to go for this dream for ages. I am so happy. My parents are the true champions.

"Since I made the decision to drop out of school, my dad has been at my side. My mum has also gone through a lot over the years. They are the source of my strength. I love them so much."

Yize revealed he initially believed fans were giving him a hard time as they chanted "Wuuuuuu!" throughout the arena, adding: "At the beginning, I had a misunderstanding. I thought the people were booing me!

"But then the staff told me they were cheering. I can't thank you enough. No matter who you support, I think the love for snooker is mutual."

The young Chinese star's triumph ruthlessly denied The Magician the opportunity to join a select group of champions with a second world title. Murphy had been targeting glory 21 years after his maiden Crucible triumph, hoping to join an illustrious band of players - Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Steve Davis, John Higgins, Mark Selby and Mark Williams - who have claimed multiple titles at the celebrated Sheffield venue.

Yet despite a stunning opening to Monday's play, in which he claimed five consecutive frames to momentarily take a grip on the final, his opponent ultimately proved too strong when it mattered most.

Yize, who regularly stepped outside the Crucible for cigarette breaks throughout the final, took charge of the showpiece from the very start and never found himself behind at the conclusion of any session before the finish.

He was just 18 months old when Murphy lifted the trophy in 2005, but, having defeated Lei Peifan, Mark Selby, Hossein Vafaei and Mark Allen to reach the final, he displayed the fearless audacity of youth to fly out of the blocks on Sunday afternoon and surge into a 3-0 lead.

Murphy managed to drag himself level by the conclusion of the first session at 4-4, but the Asian sensation regained control to establish his 10-7 advantage by Sunday evening.

The English star required a blistering Monday opening and received precisely that as he swept through the first five frames to edge into the lead.

However, once more, Yize was able to restore order and rattled off the closing three frames of Monday afternoon to complete session three at 13-12 in front.

The momentum continued to swing back and forth towards the agonising finale. Yize claimed the opening frame of the evening to move 14-12 clear, Murphy responded to draw level at 14-14.

It reached 16-16 when he compiled a century to make it best-of-three and then into a nail-biting decider after Yize missed a black off its spot when poised to clinch it 18-16.

Yet, in the deciding frame, Yize impressively brushed aside that disappointment and delivered before stating: "I just want to go to sleep."