Bai Yulu, the reigning champion and rising star from Dongguan, has once again claimed global spotlight by winning the 2025 WWS World Women's Snooker Championship. In a thrilling final at Changping Gymnasium in Dongguan on May 27, she defeated world No. 1 Mink Nutcharut from Thailand 6–4, successfully defending her title and confirming her place at the pinnacle of women's snooker.
Facing off against a formidable field of 70 players from 11 countries, including top-seeded stars like Nutcharut, Hong Kong's Ng On Yee, and England's Reanne Evans, Bai's path to victory was anything but easy. From notching the tournament's first century break in the group stage to taking down a series of top-tier opponents, including current U21 champion Channoi, three-time world champion Ng On Yee, and dark horse Xia Yuying, Bai showcased impeccable skill, strategy, and nerve. Her undefeated run through the tournament sealed her status as the undisputed queen of the game.
But Bai's story extends far beyond this tournament. Since lifting the same trophy in Dongguan in 2024, she's made waves on the professional tour. In September 2024, she stunned the field at the UK Championship by beating snooker legend Reanne Evans, becoming the first player since 2019 to win both the World and UK titles in the same year. She went on to defeat several male professionals in ranking events and broke a 30-year-old women's record with a stunning 128-point clearance during the 2025 German Masters qualifiers, surpassing the legendary 102 set by Allison Fisher in 1994.
The snooker world has taken notice. "It's unbelievable," said Evans. "She plays like she was born for this. Her long-potting is extraordinary." The World Snooker Tour (WST) recognized Bai's meteoric rise by naming her the Best Rookie of the 2024/2025 season, the first Chinese woman to ever earn the honor.
Bai's success reflects not only her personal determination but also the unique environment that shaped her. Born in a rural town in Shaanxi, she moved to Dongguan at age eight. There, under the guidance of coach Li Jianbing, she developed her skills in a city that has quietly become a champion's home. From weightlifting legend Chen Jingkai to basketball powerhouses like the Guangdong Southern Tigers, Dongguan has long supported athletic dreams. Now, with the WWS Championship secured in the city through 2026 and investments in world-class facilities, Dongguan is positioning itself as the "Crucible of China."
Today, this city of innovation, youth, and resilience is more than a manufacturing giant, it's a launchpad for dreams. And with Bai Yulu's victories lighting the way, Dongguan's presence on the global sports stage has never been stronger.
