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

Wu 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's home province to meet the champion, while Liu Yi fei won the chance to play him [BBC] The baby-faced snooker magician showed off some shots to the ooh-ing and ah-ing audience, including when he played one fan, Liu Yi fei. She had won an earlier play-off here to have a hit with him.