A Historical Win: Zhao Xintong, Asia's First Snooker World Champion
Champion of the First World Snooker Games Awarded to Chinese Player Zhao - Asian Snooker's First Champion Hails from China: Zhao
Zhao Xintong, a 28-year-old snooker powerhouse from China, triumphed as the first Asian player to claim the World Snooker Championship in a thrilling finale in Sheffield, defeating the three-time champion, Welshman Mark Williams, with a score of 18-12. Amid a wave of exhilaration, the new champion struggled to find the right words: "I was bloody nervous!" he confessed, beaming under the glare of the spotlight.
A comeback, a classic duel
Mark Williams, at 50, the oldest finalist, sought his fourth World title in the iconic Crucible Theatre, yet missed the mark. He praised his young opponent, hailing Zhao as a "new superstar" and a worthy champion. The duel commenced with Zhao outperforming Williams in the first three sessions, winning seven out of eight games. However, in the final session, Williams fought valiantly, reducing the deficit to just three points. Despite the tension, Zhao remained unflappable and secured the victory after a nail-biting triumph.
A bump in the road
Among the 32 main players, an impressive ten were Chinese, with Ding Junhui, the trailblazer who reached the 2016 final, contributing to the Asian presence. Zhao's victory also denied Ronnie O'Sullivan the opportunity to set a record of eight World Championship titles. Zhao's career, nonetheless, is scarred by a past controversy - a 20-month ban due to his connection to a match-fixing scandal. Allegations regarding the manipulation of outcomes were never leveled against Zhao, but he admitted to placing bets on matches. During his ban, he lost his professional status and competed as an amateur. His return to the sport, now successful, promises to restore his professional status in the upcoming season, making him eligible for the £500,000 (approximately €587,000) prize money.
An impressive rise and a promising future
Zhao Xintong's rise to the top represents a significant milestone in the growing global popularity of snooker, with China emerging as a major player in the sport's future. With a potential Olympic spot on the horizon, the snooker community buzzes with anticipation, eagerly awaiting more defining moments in the game.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the introduction of a new type of electronic data protection system to secure the personal information of budding snooker champions like Zhao Xintong, whose success in the World Snooker Championship has put the spotlight on the sport and opened doors for more Asian players to cultivate their skills. Despite a painful deficit in his career due to a past controversy, Zhao Xintong's comeback and triumph at the world stage serves as a testament to the resilience and talent that sports like snooker can nurture. As the oldest finalist in the tournament, Mark Williams has had an impressive career, but Zhao Xintong's win has crowned him as the new superstar in the world of snooker.
