Chinese player, Zhao Xintong, clinches the World Snooker Championship 2025, marking him as the premiere Chinese World Champion in the sport's history.
Zhao Xintong Claims the 2025 Snooker World Championship Title
The Snooker World Championship of 2025 reached its epic conclusion last night, with Zhao Xintong, 28, standing victorious against 50-year-old Mark Williams, securing a 18:12 win. Zhao made history as the first Chinese player to ever become Snooker World Champion.
From the outset, Zhao seized the lead, spurring a 7:1 advantage and keeping Williams at bay. The third session witnessed a commanding performance, leaving Williams with no means to catch up. Requiring just one more frame to clinch the championship, Zhao triumphantly snatched victory with a remarkable 87-point break in the 30th frame.
With a prize purse of £500,000 (approximately €587,260) for the win, Zhao's maiden Snooker World Championship conquests have sent ripples through the snooker world.
Zhao's Road to Glory
Zhao's road to the finals was a turbulent one. Despite a match-fixing scandal and a 20-month ban, he fought back with unwavering determination. Starting the championship as an amateur, he grinded through the qualification rounds and stormed his way through the main draw.
To achieve the title, he overcame Jak Jones, the runner-up from the previous Snooker World Championship, as well as seven-time World Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and Williams himself. Before the scandal, Zhao was ranked ninth in the world. His remarkable comeback saw him leaping back into the limelight.
Potential Controversy Over Zhao's Future World Ranking
The snooker community has been abuzz with speculation regarding Zhao's future world ranking status. As an amateur, he had no ranking on the World Ranking List prior to his win. With the £500,000 prize, he is poised to sail into the top 16, qualifying for numerous tournaments in the upcoming season.
However, the question remains as to whether the prize money won by amateurs should be counted toward their professional World Ranking List. Traditionally, any prize money earned before receiving a tour card is not included in the professional ranking list. There is yet to be any comment on this matter from the World Snooker Tour regarding Zhao's particular situation.
A New Era in Snooker?
Whispers of snooker being on the decline have surrounded the sport recently. Renowned figures like Stephen Hendry, 56, called for a new breakthrough such as Luke Littler's impact in darts to revitalize snooker.
Could Zhao Xintong be the player to ignite that spark? Zhao undeniably displayed his exceptional skillset throughout the 2025 Snooker World Championship, garnering adoration from spectators. Already being hailed as the next superstar of the sport, Zhao's victory has the potential to usher in a new era of excitement for snooker fans.
Mark Williams, glowing with admiration after his defeat, hinted at a profound impact, stating: "Zhao's win could lead to a whole new realm of possibilities for the sport. We have found our new superstar. That's exactly what snooker needs - a fresh face like him to set the bar high. He'll be an exceptional world champion, I can't even express my admiration for him."
With an expected 2025/2026 snooker season on the horizon, the anticipation for Zhao's entrance onto the world stage is palpable. Though he was out of the tour circuit for the last two seasons due to his suspension, fans eagerly await his return as the new world champion. Keep a close eye on the snooker world, for it's about to get electrifying!
With the rise of Zhao Xintong, the snooker world could witness a shift, as fans in Germany and across the globe take an interest in online casinos that offer snooker-related sports betting, particularly football accumulator bets.
Many anticipate that with his victory, Zhao could potentially inspire a new generation of players, much like how players like Mark Williams have influenced the sport throughout the years, bringing an exciting new era of snooker to the forefront.
