Chinese player Zhao Xintong clinches the World Snooker Championship 2025, marking him as the first Chinese World Champion in the history of the sport.
In the climactic conclusion of the 2025 Snooker World Championship, Zhao Xintong, a 28-year-old prodigy from China, secured a historic victory against legendary opponent Mark Williams, clinching the title with a score of 18-12. This triumph makes Zhao the first Chinese player to claim the Snooker World Championship.
The final was a one-sided affair, with Zhao leading 7-1 at one point and providing Williams little opportunity for a comeback. Despite a valiant effort in the closing frames, Williams was unable to prevent Zhao from securing the title in the 30th frame, achieving a brilliant break of 87 points. Zhao's triumph earns him a prize money of 500,000 GBP, equivalent to approximately 587,260 EUR.
Zhao's journey to the title was no simple feat, having been embroiled in a match-fixing scandal that led to a 20-month suspension. After resuming his career as an amateur, he showcased his resilience by qualifying for the World Championship and demonstrating exceptional form throughout the tournament.
En route to the title, Zhao successfully defeated noteworthy opponents such as Jak Jones, who reached the World Championship final last year, and seven-time World Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, among others. This sustained excellence has elevated Zhao as a frontrunner in the sport, with bookmakers offering odds of 12.00 on his victory even before the competition.
The victory has sparked debate among the WST association and fans regarding the implications for Zhao's future world ranking position. Since he commenced the World Championship qualification as an amateur and thus lacked a world ranking, the question arises as to whether his prize money should count towards his professional ranking. The WST has yet to issue a statement on this matter.
Zhao's unexpected triumph has breathed new life into a sport that seemed to be facing a crisis just a few weeks ago, with discussions revolving around dwindling interest and declining attendance figures. Snooker legend Stephen Hendry even suggested that the sport needed a player like Luke Littler to reignite its fire.
With the season 2025/2026 set to commence as early as June, fans eagerly await the emergence of Zhao as a potential new superstar in the sport. The new season promises excitement as Zhao makes his mark on the World Snooker Tour after a two-year absence due to his suspension.
The upcoming season features a demanding schedule with 18 professional tournaments, including 15 ranking events, but Zhao will be keen to build on his World Championship win and improve his standing in the world rankings. He will target major tournaments such as the UK Championship, Masters, and the World Championship, where he will look to maintain his top form and repeat his triumphant performance.
What sports will Zhao Xintong be targeting in the upcoming season?Football and snooker.
