Chinese Snooker Player Zhao Xintong Triumphs in World Championship 2025, Becoming the First Chinese Title Holder
Zhao Xintong Takes the Snooker World Title with a Dominant 18:12 Win
The 2025 Snooker World Championship has come to an end, with Zhao Xintong, 28, clinching the coveted title over 50-year-old, Mark Williams. Zhao became the first Chinese and Asian player to snag the Snooker World Championship, impressing spectators with his triumphant victory.
Zhao outplayed Williams from the get-go, leading 7:1 at one point and leaving little room for Mark to fight his way back. However, Mark showed his resilience, winning four consecutive frames to narrow the gap to 8:11. Despite Richard's determination, Zhao remained unyielding, clinching the championship with an impressive 87-point break in the 30th frame.
Zhao's Fight Back from Suspension
While Zhao's road to the World Championship was far from simple, he demonstrated an impressive resilience in the face of adversity. In 20XX, he was suspended for 20 months for his alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Returning as an amateur in the 2025 Championship, he had to qualify through the entire competition.
Zhao's impressive journey to the title included 111 total frames, completed by way of victories in both the qualification rounds and the main competition. As a wildcard, he defeated Jak Jones, who competed in the 2024 final. In the semi-finals, Zhao dethroned seven-time Snooker World Champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan, and bested fellow world champion Mark Williams in the final. These notable wins fueled speculation that Zhao would be a strong contender for the championship. Before the tournament began, bookmakers were offering odds of 12.00 on his victory.
At just 28, Zhao is the youngest world champion since 2005 and marked the first Asian victory in the Snooker World Championship. His achievement added a breath of fresh air to a sport that has sometimes been called stale, affirming Zhao's status as a promising new talent on the circuit.
Controversy Over Ranking Position
Zhao's victory garnered both excitement from fans and controversy surrounding his new ranking position. As an amateur at the start of the competition, Zhao had no ranking on the World Ranking List. Being credited with the £500,000 prize money immediately catapulted him into the top 16 and qualified him for several upcoming tournaments in the season.
The World Snooker Tour (WST) typically excludes prize money won by amateurs from the World Ranking List. However, as a professional player, Zhao's prize money was credited to his ranking total, significantly boosting his official world ranking. It remains to be seen how the WST will address this controversy.
The Rise of a New Snooker Superstar?
Just a few weeks ago, there were concerns that snooker was on the decline. Talk of waning interest, dwindling attendance figures, and the need for a figure like Luke Littler to help revitalize the sport was prevalent. Now, Zhao Xintong may be that very catalyst for change.
With his electrifying performance in the 2025 Snooker World Championship, many spectators and pundits see Zhao as the potential savior the sport has been needing. As the new world champion and a stunning potted-ball performer, Zhao could be the breath of fresh air snooker needs.
Mark Williams, this year's runner-up and himself a snooker legend, expressed his appreciation for Zhao's talents in a post-match interview: "Zhao's victory could lead to exciting new possibilities for snooker, and we have a new rising star. He's already a great world champion, and I believe he'll be among the best I've ever witnessed. He's an incredible potter, and I have nothing but respect for him."
The upcoming 2025/2026 snooker season is shaping up to be a thrilling one, with an energized Zhao ready to shake up the tournaments. The new season will kick off as early as June, and fans can expect an exhilarating season from the new world champion, Zhao Xintong.
Sources:
[1] Zhao Xintong, Snooker World Champion 2025, World Snooker Tour. [Online]. https://www.worldsnookertour.com/players/10742/zhao-xintong/index.html [2025-06-18].
[2] Snooker 2025 World Championship: Zhao Xintong outlasts Mark Williams in nail-biting final. BBC Sport. [Online]. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/56627299 [2025-06-18].
[3] Snooker World Championship: Zhao Xintong sets up title clash with Mark Williams. BBC Sport. [Online]. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/56575598 [2025-06-18].
-What about the upcoming sports season, will Zhao Xintong dominate football just like he did in snooker?-Zhao Xintong, the new Snooker World Champion, is being hailed as a potential revolution in the stale world of sports, much like how a young and talented football player could bring fresh energy to the field.
