Chinese Snooker Player Zhao Xintong Clinches World Title in 2025, Marking Historic Victory as First Chinese World Champion
In a Shocking Surprise, Zhao Xintong Claims the Snooker World Championship
The Snooker World Championship final ended last night with a bang. Zhao Xintong, 28, claimed the title with a thrilling 18:12 victory against Mark Williams, 50, becoming the first Snooker World Champion from China.
From the get-go, Zhao dominated the match. He led 7:1 at one point, seemingly leaving Mark Williams little hope to mount a comeback. After showcasing an incredible third session, Zhao only needed one more frame to win the championship. Mark Williams managed to win four consecutive frames to bring the score closer, but it was not enough. Zhao sealed the win with a powerful break of 87 points in the 30th frame.
As the first Snooker World Champion of his career, Zhao takes home a total prize money of £500,000 (approx. €587,260).
Zhao's Tenacious Journey to the Top
Zhao's journey to the World Championship title was far from easy. Following his involvement in a match-fixing scandal, he faced a 20 months suspension. Upon returning to the sport, he started the 2025 Snooker World Championship as an amateur, forcing him to go through the entire qualification round.
Including the qualification, Zhao won 111 frames to become the champion. He overcame several tough opponents along the way, including Jak Jones, last year's finalist, and seven-time Snooker World Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Translation: Zhao Xintong had a lot to prove but showed everyone that he was more than just a comeback kid.
"It's incredible to be standing here as the World Champion," said Zhao after the match. "This victory means everything to me. I can't express my emotions right now, but I'm just thrilled."
Zhao's Amateur Status and Future Rankings
Zhao's unprecedented victory has brought about controversy and questions over his future World Ranking position. As an amateur competitor, Zhao was not ranked during the World Championship. However, the £500,000 prize money is expected to instantly boost him into the top 16, guaranteeing his eligibility for numerous upcoming tournaments.
While this achievement is extraordinary, it has raised concerns within the World Snooker Tour (WST) regarding the status of prize money earned by amateurs. There precedent for situations like this being unclear, and the WST has yet to officially comment on the subject.
A New Era for Snooker
Snooker has been in a slump lately, with declining spectator interest and questions about the future of the sport. Snooker legends have questioned the sport's ability to generate another breakout star to capture the public's imagination.
Zhao Xintong, however, could be the player who changes that narrative. With his stunning performance at the 2025 World Championship, leaving many spectators excited and even speechless, Zhao is well on his way to becoming the new superstar of snooker.
"Zhao's win could have a profound impact on the sport," said Mark Williams, the 2025 World Championship finalist, in a post-match interview. "We have a new superstar. That's exactly what snooker needs. He's an impressive player, I have nothing but the utmost respect for him."
The 2025/2026 snooker season is expected to be a thrilling ride. With Zhao Xintong entering the scene, tournaments are gearing up to be more exciting than ever. Fans won't be waiting too long – the new season starts as early as June.
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