Chinese player Zhao Xintong clinches the World Snooker Championship 2025, marking him as the initial champion from China.
On the Green Baize: Zhao Xintong's Historic Snooker Victory
Last night's Snooker World Championship final saw an electrifying performance from Zhao Xintong as he claimed the title, defeating the legendary Mark Williams 18:12. Here's a lowdown on the 28-year-old's spectacular victory.
A Stunning DisplayZhao controlled the final from the get-go, leading 7:1 at one point in the match. Mark Williams had a mountain to climb, but with a spirited comeback, narrowing the gap to 17:11. However, Zhao demonstrated his grit and determination, clinching the final frame with an impressive 87-point break, securing his first-ever World Championship trophy.
From Scandal to ChampionZhao's road to the World Championship wasn't easy. He was handed a 20-month ban in the past due to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Upon his return, he had to begin the 2025 championship qualifiers as an amateur. Zhao won 111 frames to secure the title, snowballing through the qualification rounds and the main draw.
His impressive run saw him defeat Jak Jones—last year's finalist—and the seven-time World Champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan, in the semi-finals. He joined Mark Williams in the history books, becoming both the youngest World Champion since 2005 and the first Asian Snooker World Champion.
The World Ranking ControversyZhao Xintong's victory has sparked a debate about his future ranking position. As an amateur going into the World Championship qualifiers, Zhao had no points on the World Ranking List. A £500,000 payday for the title should immediately vault him into the top 16, potentially granting him entry to several events in the next season.
However, the WST's established rules generally dictate that prize money won by amateurs doesn't apply to the World Ranking List. As Zhao was an amateur during the World Championship, this has led to controversy, with the WST yet to comment on the matter.
A Potent Sign for Snooker's Future?Just weeks earlier, there were murmurs of concern about Snooker's future, with talk of waning interest and declining attendance. Experts pondered whether Snooker needed a breakout star similar to Luke Littler in Darts. Could Zhao Xintong be the man to change the game?
His extraordinary performance at the World Championship has left pundits and fans enthralled, hoping that Zhao will continue to elevate the sport. Mark Williams, the finalist, shared this sentiment, stating that "Zhao's win could be the much-needed spark for Snooker, unveiling a new era."
With the 2025/2026 Snooker season now just around the corner, fans eagerly await Zhao's return to the professional circuit. The new season kicks off as early as June 2025, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable series of events.
Translation: It's a new era for Snooker, with the young gun, Zhao Xintong, shining brighter than ever.
- Mark Williams, Snooker World Championship 2025 finalist, WST.
What about the future of sports, particularly football? Zhao Xintong's feat at the Snooker World Championship has surely opened the door for a new generation of players to showcase their talents and perhaps dominate other sports, just like he did in Snooker.
