Chinese cue master Zhao Xintong clinches the World Snooker Championship 2025 title, establishing himself as the inaugural Chinese World Champion.
New Era in Snooker: Zhao Xintong's Remarkable Rise
The 2025 snooker world has a brand new champ! Zhao Xintong, 28, shattered expectations by clinching the title from the legendary Mark Williams, 50, in a nail-biting final with the scoreline of 18:12.
This victory resurrects Zhao as the first Chinese snooker player to ever capture the World Championship crown.
Zhao's journey to the championship didn't fumble. He displayed resilience from the get-go, leading 7:1 at one crucial point, despite Mark giving it his all. The third session saw Zhao putting in a dominating performance, leaving Mark with a steep mountain to climb. Indeed, the final seemed all but wrapped up after Zhao won his sixteenth frame, but Mark proved a determined adversary, securing four consecutive ones to make it 17:8. Anticipation filled the air in the Crucible Theatre as the spectators watched Mark and Zhao engage in a tense tug-of-war. But Zhao had other plans, clinching the final 30th frame with an outstanding break of 87 points, proving himself worthy of the title. Zhao will walk away with a hefty earning of 500,000 GBP (587,260 EUR).
Rebounding from Adversity
Zhao's route to the World Championship was far from a cakewalk. He suffered a 20-month ban due to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Following his ban, Zhao returned as an amateur and battled through the arduous qualifying stages. Zhao faced humbling challenges like defeating Jak Jones, who was a finalist in the tournament the previous year, and seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-finals and another world champion, Mark Williams, in the finals.
Even before the qualification, bookmakers backed Zhao as a promising contender for the title, providing odds of 12.00. Despite being only 28, Zhao became the youngest World Champion since 2005 when Shaun Murphy claimed the trophy at age 23. Zhao is also the first Asian to win the Snooker World Championship and one of just five non-British champions.
Controversy Over His Future Ranking
Zhao's achievement has sparked controversy surrounding his future ranking position due to his amateur status during the qualification rounds. Previously ranked ninth in the world, Zhao's winnings of 500,000 GBP will instantly propel him into the top 16, qualifying him for numerous tournaments during the upcoming season. However, prize money earned by amateurs usually isn't factored into the World Ranking—a contentious topic that the World Snooker Tour (WST) has yet to address.
The New Face of Snooker
The sport of snooker seemed to face a dim future, with dwindling interest and attendance figures. Snooker guru Stephen Hendry famously commented that the sport needed an extraordinary talent to put it back on the map, much like what Luke Littler did for darts. Could Zhao Xintong emerge as the savior of snooker?
During the Championship, millions of spectators were left in awe of Zhao's impressive play, speaking volumes of his potential to revitalize the sport. Opinions run high among fans and players, who believe Zhao is poised to become the new snooker star. Even Mark Williams, Zhao's competitor in the final, shared his sentiment, praising Zhao as the newest superstar of the sport.
"Zhao's win could revolutionize the sport, paving the way for exciting possibilities worldwide. He's going to soar high as the new titan of the game, breaking new ground in our sport,” says Mark Williams, the finalist in the 2025 Snooker World Championship, as he reflects on his loss to Zhao.
The 2025/2026 snooker season anticipates an electrifying start, with Zhao's enthralling presence shaking up the rankings and upending existing expectations. Making his return to the World Snooker Tour after his suspension, Zhao is expected to create waves in the upcoming tournaments.
Tune in as early as June for the commencement of an exciting new season! You definitely won't want to miss it!
- Online casinos in Germany could see an increase in bets on snooker players, as Zhao Xintong's remarkable rise to becoming the World Champion has captivated the attention of not only snooker enthusiasts but also entertainment-seeking individuals, such as celebrities and sports fans who follow football, sports-analysis, and other sports.
- As Zhao Xintong prepares to make waves in the upcoming snooker season, he might catch the eye of sports broadcasters and analysts looking to provide more diverse and international perspectives to their platforms, which currently feature mostly British players.
- With Zhao Xintong's impressive wins and charisma, he may even attract the attention of sponsors from various sectors, such as fashion, technology, and finance, who are always looking to align themselves with emerging stars and powerful brands that inspire a wider audience.
