Chinese snooker witnessed a significant shift as rising star Zhao clinched the world title, indicating a potential cue sports revolution in the nation.
Cyclone Zhao's Historic Triumph: Reviving the Glory of Chinese Snooker
In an electrifying showdown at Sheffield's Crucible, China's snooker sensation, Zhao Xintong, etched his name into history on Monday. His stunning victory marked a new high for the sport, spurring renewed excitement in China and around the world.
Over the last two decades, snooker's appeal in China has skyrocketed, largely due to the inspiring rise of players like Ding Junhui. Following Ding's heartbreaking loss in the 2016 World Championship final, Zhao picked up the baton, ending Asia's long wait for its first male world champion with an magnificent display against three-time winner Williams.
At just 28 years old, Zhao became the third qualifier to win the title since the World Championship moved to the Crucible in 1977. Despite being the youngest world champion since Shaun Murphy, who won at age 22 in 2005, Zhao's road to the top wasn't without obstacles.
In early 2023, a match-fixing scandal tarnished Zhao's blossoming career, resulting in a 20-month ban. However, the resilient Chinese player refused to let adversity steal his dreams. Emerging from the shadows, Zhao made his triumphant return to the Crucible, a mere stone's throw from his Sheffield home.
Williams, seeking to become snooker's oldest world champion at 50, witnessed the exceptional talent Zhao possesses. With his wealth of experience, the seasoned veteran is uniquely positioned to assess the current generation and believes that Zhao could rule the sport for years to come. Intriguingly, he dubbed Zhao "a new superstar of the game," who "strolls around the table and pots balls as if he doesn't have a care in the world."
Monikered "The Cyclone," Zhao had long been hailed as Ding's heir apparent following his victory at the 2021 UK Championship. He asserted his place among the elites in stunning fashion, crushing snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semifinals and dominating his 18-12 victory over Williams with an impressive 47-4 record since his return from suspension.
Revelling in his victory, Zhao expressed his emotion, "It's like a dream. I can't believe it." Facing immense pressure, he acknowledged, "I was a bit nervous because I knew I couldn't miss. I knew he could come back quickly, so I had to concentrate and be very careful."
Set to start next season ranked 11th in the world, Zhao will join nine other Chinese players in the world's top 32. England remains the only nation with more players in the upper echelons, but Parrott, a former world champion, is convinced that Zhao's victory is indicative of a golden era for Chinese snooker.
With a national snooker academy in Beijing training the country's best young players, millions of Chinese fans tuned into the final to witness Zhao's coronation. Parrott expressed confidence in Zhao's ability to inspire a new wave of players in China and beyond, potentially leading to even more remarkable achievements in the future.
Six-time world champion Steve Davis, who dominated the sport in the 1980s, also praised Zhao's prodigious talent. Davis sees Zhao as a harbinger of greatness, stating, "Every time anybody put anything up to him, he responded. He's a cool customer. He just takes everything in his stride and he's going to be a danger in the future."
As Zhao entered the annals of snooker history, his victorious march to the Crucible stands as a beacon of inspiration and a testament to the perseverance of a remarkable player. The once embattled superstar now faces a future of limitless potential, and only time will tell how far he'll go.
© 2025 AFP
- By the year 2025, if Zhao Xintong continues to dominate snooker as Steve Davis predicts, he could potentially be the youngest world champion since Shaun Murphy, who won at age 22 in 2005.
- Beyond snooker, Zhao Xintong's inspiring rise to the top could have a significant impact on other sports as well, such as football, given his resilience, talent, and popularity.
- As young players in China train under the guidance of national snooker academies, they may look up to Zhao Xintong as their role model, much like how he was influenced by Ding Junhui, as the sport continues to grow in China and globally.
