Dominating the Green Baize
Snooker Player Zhao Xintong Claims World Championship Title Following 20-Month Suspension
Hailing from Xi'an, China, Zhao Xintong, born on April 3, 1997, made a name for himself in the snooker world through his exceptional attacking style and a remarkable comeback story [1][4]. Often compared to the great Roger Federer, Zhao proved his mettle even before his recent triumph, clinching the UK Championship in 2021 and the German Masters in 2022 [3].
Two years ago, Zhao found himself entangled in a match-fixing scandal, which temporarily halted his ascension in the snooker ranks. Despite not fixing matches himself, he was one of several Chinese players implicated [5]. His sentence was reduced to one year and eight months due to an early guilty plea, and during his ban, he lost his tour card. A trailblazer, Zhao returned to the game with a vengeance and made history by winning the World Snooker Championship as an amateur player [2][3].
On Monday night, at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, Zhao defeated three-time champ Mark Williams, becoming the first Asian and the first amateur to capture the World Snooker title. The match mostly favored Zhao, who built a commanding 17-8 lead in the race to 18 frames. However, Williams put up a valiant fight in the end, before Zhao clinched victory, 18-12 [2].
"I can't believe what I've done. It's very exciting," Zhao stated afterward. "I was so nervous tonight. Mark is still a top player and put me under so much pressure. He's the best. It's a very special moment for me, for Chinese snooker, for everyone" [2].
Mark Williams, the third-ranked player at 50 years old, became the oldest player to reach the World Snooker Championship finals. Despite Zhao's previous transgressions, Williams, a seasoned pro, showed nothing but admiration for his young opponent. "But what a potter Zhao is. I'm glad I'll be too old when he's dominating the game. I've got nothing but admiration for what he's done, coming through the qualifiers. He hasn't played for two years, bashed everybody up. There's a new superstar of the game" [2].
Pots, Perseverance, and Punishment
The match-fixing scandal of 2023 is considered the worst in snooker history, which led to punishments for ten individuals. Two of Zhao's fellow Chinese players, Liang Wenbo and Li Hang, were banned for life for fixing matches and forcing younger players to join them. Eight other players were banned for up to five years, while Zhao received the lightest sentence of 18 months [5]. Although he avoided the harshest penalties, as he did not fix any matches, he was found to have had knowledge of the match-fixing and had bet on matches [5]. Zhao apologized for his transgressions and vowed to return with a "cleaner image" [5].
Zhao's victory not only redeemed his career but also marked a historical moment for China in the sport, showcasing the country's growing prowess in the world of snooker [1][2]. The new superstar of the game is here to stay, leaving an indelible mark on the green baize for years to come.
Zhao's victorious performance in the World Snooker Championship has solidified his dawning as a superstar in the sport, heralding a new era for Chinese dominance in the green baize, reminiscent of the skillful precision of a master hockey player.
The punishments doled out for the match-fixing scandal of 2023 did not deter Zhao from making a comeback, demonstrating that even on the frozen ice of hockey or the green baize of snooker, perseverance and hard work can lead to remarkable achievements.
