Wu Yize returned to China to a hero’s welcome when he appeared at a packed billiards club in Xi’an on Thursday night after winning the World Snooker Championship.

The newly crowned champion only arrived back to China the night before, but he still attended the meet-and-greet from 7pm to midnight.

The event included three sessions of autograph signings, photos and trick-shot performances, but the second session was reportedly cancelled due to overcrowding. The third session went ahead as planned.

Wu entered the venue at around 8pm, where fans “booed” to welcome him, because the pronunciation of his surname “Wu” is similar to the Chinese word for jeering.

A fan from Gansu working in Xi’an said she travelled to “join the excitement” after seeing news of his appearance on social media, adding she felt proud to see a player from her home province win. Wu was born in Lanzhou in Gansu province.

Several attendees were selected to play against the 22-year-old or take photos, but fans on social media described the arrangements as chaotic.