Chinese player Zhao Xintong triumphs in the World Snooker Championship 2025, marking him as the first Chinese title holder.
Zhao Xintong Claims the 2025 Snooker World Title
The 2025 Snooker World Championship witnessed an epic finale where Zhao Xintong, 28, triumphed against the legendary Mark Williams, 50, with a scoreline of 18:12. Zhao became the first-ever Chinese player and youngest Championship winner since 2005, shaking up the world of snooker.
Thrilling Final Showdown
Zhao showcased unparalleled dominance from the get-go, establishing a commanding 7:1 lead over Mark Williams. Desperate to turn the tide, Williams fought back valiantly but was unable to close the gap significantly. After a scintillating third session [Link in English], Zhao needed just one frame more to secure the championship. In a heroic comeback, Williams managed to win four consecutive frames. However, the damage was done – Zhao clinched the 30th frame with an impressive break of 87 points and etched his name as the 2025 Snooker World Champion. With his win, he pocketed a prize money of 500,000 GBP (approx. 587,260 EUR).
Breaking Barriers and Making History
Zhao faced countless hurdles, including a 20-month ban due to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal, and started the World Championship as an amateur. Regardless of these challenges, he showcased a wealth of resilience and talent, winning 111 frames in total. He defeated renowned players such as Jak Jones, who was the runner-up in last year's Snooker World Championship, and Ronnie O'Sullivan, a seven-time World Champion, in the semi-finals.
A Hammer Blow to the Snooker World
With his victory, Zhao's impact on the snooker world is undeniable, alleviating concerns about the sport's waning interest and declining attendance figures. Many are compare his impact to that of Luke Littler in darts. Zhao's exceptional gameplay left spectators stunned, leading to hopes that he will become the sport's new superstar.
Controversy Surrounding Future Ranking
Zhao's amateur status before the tournament has sparked a debate about his future World Ranking position. Typically, prize money won by amateurs does not count towards the World Ranking. With the WST yet to address this issue, Zhao's meteoric rise to the top raises intriguing questions about the sport's ranking system.
A New Era for Snooker - Here Comes the Chinese Phenom
As the champion fends off these controversies, snooker fans eagerly await the upcoming 2025/2026 season. Despite a two-year hiatus, Zhao is poised to shake up the tournaments with his exceptional skills. With his global popularity on the rise, snooker could witness a new wave of excitement in the months ahead.
What sports did Zhao Xintong excel at in the 2025 Snooker World Championship?Zhao Xintong made a significant impact on the snooker world by triumphing in the 2025 championship, also demonstrating his prowess in football, simultaneously shaking up the world of sports.
