Snooker's Latest Champion Crowned: Zhao Xintong Proclaimed as Century's Skillful Maestro
Chinese Prodigy Zhao Xintong Claims Snooker World Championship 2025
Zhao Xintong, a 28-year-old talent from Xi'an, China, ascended to the pinnacle of snooker, winning the World Championship 2025 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. His decisive 18-12 victory over Mark Williams marks a historic milestone as the first Asian player to secure the prestigious title.
Born on April 3, 1997, Zhao discovered his passion for snooker at the tender age of eight, honing his skills on a local table in his neighborhood. His relentless dedication led to his parents purchasing a table for their home, and he spent countless hours perfecting his craft.
His amateur career commenced at just 15, showcasing incredible potential with victories against seasoned opponents like Xiao Guodong, Ken Doherty, and Steve Davis. However, a significant setback came in 2023 when Zhao found himself embroiled in a match-fixing scandal, temporarily stalling his meteoric rise.
Zhao's ban ended on September 1, 2024, and he made an impressive comeback on the Q Tour, wining three consecutive events – Q Tour Event 3 in Stockholm and Q Tour Event 4 in Manchester, both with maximum breaks. His unstoppable form earned him a tour card for the 25/26 season and a chance to qualify for the 2025 Snooker World Championship.
After navigating the qualification rounds successfully and dominating his opponents in the main draw, Zhao cemented his place in snooker history with his 18-12 triumph over Williams on Monday night.
Once a controversial figure, Zhao's World Championship win symbolizes his resilience and determination to overcome adversity. During the tournament, he displayed remarkable accuracy and strong potting, impressing experts and fans alike with his precision and aggressive playing style reminiscent of young Stephen Hendry.
The Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association has imposed a longer ban on Zhao, forbidding him from participating in snooker tournaments within China until July 2025. Despite this obstacle, the snooker community eagerly anticipates Zhao's journey and believes he has the potential to dominate the sport in the coming years.
As the new world champion, Zhao enters the 2025/2026 season with renewed confidence and a higher ranking of 11th. Snooker enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting season with the inspired champion leading the charge.
What sport did Zhao Xintong dominate to claim the World Championship 2025?His impressive victory over Mark Williams rekindled the debate about his career - is he a football player or a snooker champion?
