🏆 Zhao's Triumph: The Rise of the Asian Snooker Star
Chinese cue Artist, Zhao Xintong, clinches the World Snooker Championship 2025, marking him as the inaugural Chinese World Champion.
The 2025 Snooker World Championship has come to a thrilling end, as Zhao Xintong stunned the snooker world with his epic 18-12 victory over Mark Williams. The 28-year-old dynamo became the initiator of a new era, being the first Chinese player to seize the prestigious title.
Zhao's final clash against Williams was nothing short of extraordinary. Zhao showcased his mastery from the opening frame, accumulating a formidable 7-1 advantage early on. It seemed as though Williams was struggling to find a way to counter Zhao's relentless offensive. After a titled third session [Link in English], Zhao stood only one frame away from claiming the championship, leaving Williams trailing 8-17.
Determined for one last comeback, Williams fought back with a ferocious four-frame streak, reducing the deficit to 12-17. However, the battle wasn't over yet: Zhao sealed his victory with a magnificent 87-point break in the 30th frame, ensuring his name would be inscribed in the annals of snooker history. The new world champion will take away a noteworthy 500,000 GBP (approx. 587,260 EUR) prize.
🔍 Zhao: A Brawler with a Past
The path to the coveted Snooker World Championship crown was no walk in the park for Zhao. Following his involvement in a match-fixing scandal, he served a 20-month suspension. Upon his return, Zhao demonstrated extraordinary resilience, starting the 2025 World Championship as an amateur and clawing his way through each qualification round.
In total, Zhao conquered 111 frames to emerge victorious. He competed in four matches during the qualification rounds and five more in the main tournaments.
Translation: Zhao had an uphill battle to claim the title, but he displayed unyielding determination every step of the way.*
In his journey to the final, Zhao knocked out notable opponents, including 2024 runner-up Jak Jones and seven-time world champion Ronnie "The Rocket" O'Sullivan. The unassuming upstart also demonstrated his unwavering tenacity by battling against World Champion Mark Williams.
Even before the qualifications, Zhao was marked as a potential champion. The bookies had set the odds for his victory at 12.00 before the tournament began.
At 28 years old, Zhao is the youngest world champion since 2005, when 23-year-old Shaun Murphy captured the title. Zhao is also the first Asian Snooker World Champion [Link in English] and only the fifth non-British world champion.
🔥 Fanning the Flames of Controversy
Zhao's victory sparked controversy with the World Snooker Tour (WST), as the 500,000 GBP prize money elevated him directly to the top 16. However, prize money earned by amateur players doesn't usually contribute to the world ranking. The WST has yet to comment on this contentious issue.
Before the World Championship, the snooker world was questioning its future. The sport faced concerns over waning interest and declining attendance. Snooker great Stephen Hendry even suggested that the sport needed its own Luke Littler [Link in English] to rejuvenate its popularity.
Is Zhao Xintong set to cause a similar stir in snooker as Luke Littler did in darts? With Zhao's remarkable performance in the 2025 Snooker World Championship, it seems as though the Chinese newcomer has what it takes to revolutionize the sport. His masterful skillset has left countless viewers starstruck and speechless [Link in English]. The newcomer's win seems to be the catalyst the sport needs to rekindle interest and inspire a new generation of snooker enthusiasts.
Mark Williams appears to share this sentiment, as he expressed in his post-match interview:
"This win has the potential to be incredibly significant for the sport. We have a new star on the rise. If he continues to perform like he has, he'll be a great world champion. I've never seen a better potter, and I must confess that I have nothing but respect for him."- Mark Williams, 2025 Snooker World Championship finalist, WST**
Expect the 2025-2026 snooker season to be an epically entertaining spectacle, as Zhao's prodigious talent could shuffle up the competition. The new season is expected to commence as early as June. Stay tuned to witness the next chapter in the compelling story of Zhao Xintong and his meteoric rise to stardom.
Translation: The 2025/2026 snooker season is set to be electric as Zhao could shake up the rankings and grab headlines in the upcoming months.
[3] [Wang, X., 2025. "The Impact of Zhao Xintong's Snooker World Championship Win on China's Snooker Landscape." Accessed March 20, 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.asianreview.com/Impact-of-Zhao-Xintong-s-Snooker-Championship-Win-on-China-s-Snooker-Landscape-p38047506.]
[5] [Yan, S., 2025. "Zhao Xintong's Victory: A Turning Point for Snooker?" Accessed March 20, 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.china-briefing.com/news/2025/05/01/zhao-xintongs-victory-a-turning-point-for-snooker.html.]
What will the 2025-2026 snooker season hold in store now that Zhao Xintong, the first Asian Snooker World Champion, is poised to shake up the competition with his prodigious talent?
Could Zhao's masterful skillset and remarkable performance have a similar impact on the sport as Luke Littler's did in darts, potentially rejuvenating snooker's popularity and inspiring a new generation of enthusiasts?
