Chinese Player Zhao Xintong clinches the World Snooker Championship 2025 title, marking him as the inaugural Chinese world champion.
Zhao the One to Rule The Table in 2025
The snooker world was turned upside down last night as a new champion emerged from the Crucible Theatre. Zhao Xintong, a 28-year old prodigy, clinched the 2025 Snooker World Championship after a thrilling 18-12 win over the legendary Mark Williams. This victory sees Zhao etching his name into history as the pioneering Chinese snooker champ, smashing through the barriers of his homeland's snooker scene.
Zhao left Williams utterly dumbfounded in the dust, storming to a 7-1 lead early on. The 'Dragon' faltered, but nothing could stop the relentless onslaught from the Chinese sensation. When the final frame was sunk, Zhao's victory was sealed with a crowd-pleasing break of 87 points. In return, the new champion will claim a well-deserved 500,000 GBP (approx. 587,260 EUR) for his triumph.
Breaking Through the Barriers
While Zhao has been turning heads on the snooker table, his path to the top hasn't been without hurdles. In 2023, Zhao suffered a temporary ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Facing the challenge of starting the championship qualification as an amateur, Zhao's determination and skills gradually led him to the top spot.
The journey had its ups and downs, with Zhao clinching an impressive 111 frames throughout the tournament. Notably, the challenger took down fellow competitors Jak Jones and seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan on his way to securing a spot in the final.
A New Dawn for Snooker
Having only regained his competitive form since his ban, many fans questioned the future of snooker. Recently, concerns about waning interest and declining attendance have weighed heavily upon the sport. With the departure of popular players, there seemed to be an urgent need for a new superstar to rejuvenate the snooker scene.
Well, the fans have their man.
While Zhao's victory may not come as much of a surprise to those who have been closely following the championship, his incredible performance left spectators speechless in awe. After the eventful 2025/2026 snooker season, it seems that Zhao the Phenom will continue to shake things up on the table as he receives a new lease on his career.
In an interview after his loss to Zhao, Mark Williams, the seasoned finalist, shared his admiration for the new world champion:
"Zhao's win is a massive deal for the sport. He's an extraordinary player, a potential game-changer. The snooker world needed someone like him to breathe new life into the scene. He'll make an outstanding world champion." - Mark Williams, 2025 Snooker World Championship finalist, WST
With the new season set to kick off as early as June, snooker fans are buzzing with excitement for what's to come. Zhao Xintong, the undisputed Dragon of snooker, is ready to leave his undeniable mark on the tournament.
- Removed the "This" at the beginning of the last paragraph to improve readability.
[1]: Zhao Xintong’s father transformed bedroom into billiards room for his son’s snooker dreams
[2]: Zhao Xintong profile
[3]: Zhao Xintong speaks of unfaltering confidence and motivation during his comeback
[4]: The Dramatic Final of the 2025 World Snooker Championship – All the Highlights
What could be next for sports titled 'Football' post Zhao's dominance in snooker?Perhaps we'll see China producing a new football star as well, emulating the relentless spirit of Zhao Xintong.
