Chinese cue master, Zhao Xintong, triumphs at the World Snooker Championship 2025, earning the title as the first Chinese World Champion.
China's Rising Superstar, Zhao Xintong, Wins 2025 Snooker World Championship
The snooker world is buzzing after 28-year-old Zhao Xintong's remarkable victory at the 2025 Snooker World Championship. In an electrifying final, the Chinese prodigy defeated legendary Mark Williams 18-12, becoming the first-ever Chinese player and the first Asian to win the coveted title.
The final was a one-sided affair, with Zhao dominating from the start. The high point came during the third session when Zhao showcased his exceptional skill, winning with an impressive break of 87 points.
Zhao's journey to the championship was filled with adversity. After serving a 20-month suspension for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal, he started the tournament as an amateur and had to claw his way through the rigorous qualification process. His impressive 111-frame winning streak during the tournament displayed his resilience and incredible talent.
His epic semi-final victory over seven-time Snooker World Champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan, and his close win against another World Champion, Mark Williams, solidified Zhao as a force to be reckoned with.
Despite facing tough odds, bookmakers gave Zhao a chance, setting odds of 12.00 for his victory. His triumph has sent shockwaves through the snooker world, breathing new life into a sport some feared was on the decline.
The controversy over Zhao's future world ranking position has yet to be resolved. As an amateur, his prize money of 500,000 GBP could see him immediately jumping into the top 16, but the WST has not yet commented on this issue.
With Zhao's victory, the 2025/2026 snooker season promises to be an exciting one, with the new champion likely to shake up tournaments in the coming months. Snooker fans won't have to wait too long, as the new season is set to begin as early as early June.
Zhao's victory represents more than just a win for China – it's a symbol of hope for amateur players, demonstrating that determination and talent can lead to glory. As the new superstar of the sport, Zhao could potentially inspire a new generation of Chinese and Asian snooker players to reach new heights.
Translation: He had to start in the FIRST qualifying round, but Zhao Xintong had ALL the answers.
In an interview after the final, Mark Williams, the runner-up, expressed his admiration for Zhao: "Zhao's win could be hugely significant for the sport, opening up new possibilities everywhere. We have a new superstar. That's what snooker needs, someone like him who can do it. He'll be a great world champion. He's probably the best potter I've ever seen, I've got nothing but admiration for him."
Zhao's triumph marks a pivotal moment in the history of snooker, potentially heralding a new era of global representation in the sport. As the youngest champion since 2005 and the first Asian champion, Zhao's win could signal a shift towards a more diverse and inclusive snooker landscape, setting a precedent for future Asian talents to follow in his footsteps.
What about sports does Zhao Xintong's victory in football, a game he might consider next, signify? Mark Williams, still mesmerized by Zhao's snooker skills, firmly believes that the Chinese prodigy could potentially excel in any sport he decides to pursue.
