Chinese Player, Zhao Xintong, Emerges Victorious at the World Snooker Championship 2025, Securing the Title as the First Chinese World Champion
The Metaphorical Phoenix: Zhao Xintong ** 🏆 2025 Snooker World Champion**
After a thrilling, nail-biting final, Zhao Xintong emerged triumphant, defeating Snooker legend Mark Williams 18-12. This dazzling victory marks Zhao's rise as the first Chinese World Champion in the annals of the venerable sport.
In a stunning display of talent and determination, Zhao took control from the outset, leading 7:1 at one point, leaving Mark Williams struggling to regain footing. A domineering third session [Link in English] saw him just one frame away from the coveted title. Albeit mounting a commendable comeback, Williams could not deny his opponent the final frame, with an impressive break of 87 points. With this, Zhao secured his spot as the 2025 Snooker World Champion and bagged a ** fifty-thousand pounds (approx. fifty-eight thousand seven hundred twenty-six euros) as prize money**.
The Phoenix Reborn
Zhao's path to glory was not without challenges—having been embroiled in a match-fixing scandal, the young prodigy faced a 20-month suspension. Returning as an amateur, he embarked on the lengthy qualification rounds and went on to win 111 frames before eventually earning his spot in the main event.
Notably, Zhao demonstrated he had all the answers in the qualification rounds; defeating Jak Jones, who had reached the World Championship finals in the previous year, and seven-time World Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semis. Even in the main event, Mark Williams was no match for the rising star. That said, Zhao's young age of 28 makes him the youngest World Champion since 2005—the year Shaun Murphy won his first world title. He is also the first Asian and one of five non-British World Champions [Link in English].
However, the excitement surrounding Zhao's victory has sparked debates and controversy concerning his future World Ranking status. Given his amateur standing during the World Championship, questions have arisen as to whether the prize money won should count towards his professional World Ranking. As yet, the WST has refrained from comment on the matter.
Rekindling the Flame of Snooker: The New Dawn
Just weeks ago, discussions in the snooker community centered on waning interest, declining attendance, and speculation about the sport's future vitality. Snooker legend Stephen Hendry went so far as to suggest the game needed its own Luke Littler, [link in English] the darts player who rejuvenated the sport with his flamboyant antics and colorful personality.
Could Zhao's prowess on the table serve a similar purpose, elevating snooker to unprecedented heights, captivating fans and drawing in new audiences? His performances at the World Championship left spectators mesmerized and awestruck, stirring speculation that he may, indeed, become the next superstar of the sport.
In an interview following his loss in the final, Mark Williams shared his sentiments, praising Zhao for revolutionizing the game:
"This victory could mark a significant turning point for snooker, opening up new horizons. We now have a new superstar. Just what the sport needs, a player like him to take it to the next level. He'll be a fantastic world champion. He's a phenom, the best potter I've ever seen. I have only admiration for him."- Mark Williams, 2025 Snooker World Championship finalist, WST
With the 2025/2026 season approaching as early as June, anticipation for the upcoming season grows ever stronger. With his recent success, challengers will have to brace themselves as Zhao could shake up the upcoming tournaments.
For now, we can only wait and see what the future holds for this new superstar, as Zhao Xintong aims to inspire, excite, and push the boundaries of snooker.
Other players will likely have to face tough competition in the upcoming 2025/2026 season, as Zhao Xintong, the newly crowned 2025 Snooker World Champion, is expected to shake up the tournaments.
In the past, Zhao has demonstrated impressive talent and determination in snooker, even when faced with challenges like a match-fixing scandal. His victory marks him as the first Asian and one of five non-British World Champions, and his future rankings are a topic of debate in the sports community.
Mark Williams, Zhao's recent nemesis, praised Zhao for revolutionizing the sport and highlighting that his victory could mark a significant turning point for snooker, potentially attracting new audiences and elevating the sport to unprecedented heights.
