Chinese player Zhao Xintong clinches the World Snooker Championship title in 2025, thus becoming the inaugural Chinese World Champion.
Headline: Zhao Xintong's Groundbreaking Victory Opens New Chapters for Snooker
Zhao Xintong Makes History in Thrilling Final
The 2025 Snooker World Championship came to a pulsating end with 28-year-old Zhao Xintong clinching a hard-fought 18-12 victory over 50-year-old Mark Williams in a gripping final.
Zhao seized the first mover advantage, racing to a 7-1 lead, giving Williams little opportunity to claw back. Despite a valiant effort from Williams in the third session, reducing the deficit to 11-8, Zhao remained unflinching. He won the next frame with a robust break of 87 points to seal his maiden Snooker World Championship title. For his accomplishment, Zhao will receive a substantial prize money of £500,000 approximately (€587,260).
An Unconventional Road to Victory
Despite initial expectations, Zhao's journey to the World Championship crown was far from convention. He faced a 20-month suspension due to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Following his return, he entered the championship as an amateur, having to qualify for the tournament.
Throughout his qualifying matches, Zhao showcased his tenacity, winning 111 frames in total. This impressive run saw him defeat the reigning runner-up, Jak Jones, as well as seven-time World Champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan, in the semifinals, and fellow World Champion, Mark Williams, in the final.
Controversy over Zhao's World Rankings
Zhao's win has stirred debate within the snooker community, especially regarding his future world ranking position. As he started the World Championship qualification as an amateur and had no ranking on the world ranking list, prize money won by amateurs is typically not taken into account. The World Snooker Tour (WST) has yet to comment on this matter.
The sport of snooker was reportedly facing a crisis in recent times, with talk of waning interest and declining attendance. With Zhao's emergence into the limelight and remarkable performances, there are high hopes for the up-and-coming Chinese sensation to revitalize the sport.
Zhao: The New Face of Snooker?
As snooker grapples with dwindling popularity, perhaps Zhao Xintong's arrival could be the shake-up the sport needs. His performances during this year's championship left many speechless, enthusiastically anticipating his continued dominance in the 2025/2026 season.
Though opinions vary, numerous fans, players, and experts believe Zhao will establish himself as the new superstar of the sport. Mark Williams, the 2025 Snooker World Championship runner-up, echoed those sentiments in a post-match interview, affirming Zhao's incredible potential.
The upcoming 2025/2026 snooker season promises to be a captivating spectacle, with Zhao potentially reserving a seat at the top table of world snooker, bringing renewed energy to the competitive landscape.
As the new season inches closer, eager fans eagerly anticipate all the excitement and surprises that the new season holds. Investment, sponsorship, and coverage levels are set to increase with Zhao's growing popularity, targeting the lucrative Chinese market. The world of snooker is abuzz with potential, with Zhao Xintong at its very heart.
What about sports betting on the 2025/2026 snooker season, especially with the rising popularity of Zhao Xintong? With his groundbreaking victory and potential dominance in snooker, he could be a strong contender for sports-betting enthusiasts, just like football fanatics place their bets on their favorite teams.
