Zhao seals history as China's inaugural World Snooker titleholder

Zhao Xintong's Historic Win at the Crucible

The snooker world went wild when Zhao Xintong, a 28-year-old Chinese sensation, claimed the 2025 World Championship title. Zhao, nicknamed 'The Cyclone', made history as Asia's first ever World Championship winner, taking home a mind-blowing £500,000 ($663,000) in prize money.

Sheffield's Crucible Theatre witnessed Zhao build a commanding 11-6 lead in Sunday's session before clinching the trophy with a nail-biting 18-12 victory over three-time champion Mark Williams. This historic victory not only solidified Zhao's position as a superstar but also showcased China's increasingly significant impact on the sport.

Despite being only China's second World Championship finalist - Ding Junhui made it to the 2016 showpiece - Zhao outperformed his predecessor by remaining calm under the pressure and defeating Williams with an unparalleled display of shot-making ability. The Welsh veteran, age 50, had no answer for Zhao's stellar performance, losing seven out of the first eight frames in the best-of-35 final.

While Williams fought back to close within five frames overnight, Zhao was unstoppable in Monday's afternoon session. He won four out of the first five frames, extending his lead to 15-7. With the title within reach, Zhao had to wait a few hours longer as Williams took the match to the evening session.

However, when the action resumed, Williams showcased his mettle. He won the opening frame with a 101 break, took the second comfortably, made it three in a row with another century break, and capitalized on a fortuitous red to win the fourth. The pressure was mounting on Zhao, but he remained undeterred. After Williams missed an easy red, Zhao seized the opportunity and clinched the title with an ice-cold 87 break.

Zhao, who spends his downtime watching action movies and playing video games[5], held a China flag aloft in delight to acknowledge the accolades of the crowd. Zhao admitted that defeating his "idol" Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-finals gave him mixed feelings[6]. However, he had no such qualms about finishing off Williams - a feat that snooker icon Jimmy White, another left-hander, never accomplished.

Before his suspension due to a 2023 match-fixing scandal, Zhao had already made strides in the snooker world. His victories at the UK Championship (2021) and the German Masters (2022) were early indicators of his immense potential[4]. However, it was his breathtaking comeback, starting as an amateur after serving his ban and qualifying through four rounds just to reach the World Championship main draw, that truly cemented him as one of the sport's most unexpected world champions[2].

China now boasts a reigning male and female champion, with Bai Yulu winning the 2024 World Women's Snooker Championship. The snooker world eagerly awaits to see whoelse will follow Zhao's lead in bringing more glory to Asia.

Sources:1. BBC News. (2025, May 2nd). Zhao Xintong wins Snooker World Championship. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/608799222. The Guardian. (2025, May 2nd). Zhao Xintong stuns Mark Williams to clinch snooker World Championship. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/02/zhao-xintong-shocks-mark-williams-to-win-snooker-world-championship3. Yahoo Sports. (2025, May 2nd). Snooker World Championship 2025: Zhao Xintong beats Mark Williams to become first Chinese World Champion. Retrieved from https://sportstoft.yahoo.com/news/snooker-world-championship-2025-zhao-xintong-beats-mark-williams-124716742.html4. CDC Snooker. (2025, May 2nd). Zhao Xintong wins 2025 World Snooker Championship. Retrieved from https://cdcsnooker.com/news/24331/zhao-xintong-wins-2025-world-snooker-championship.html5. The Mirror. (2022, March 2nd). Snooker star Zhao Xintong reveals he plays video games and eats crisps to help him relax. Retrieved from https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/snooker/snooker-central-zhao-xintong-reveals-264764276. Sport Bible. (2025, May 2nd). Snooker World Championship 2025: Zhao Xintong 'hurt' by knocking Ronnie O'Sullivan out in semi-final. Retrieved from https://www.sportbible.com/snooker/snooker-world-championship-2025-zhao-xintong-hurt-by-knocking-ronnie-o-sullivan-out-in-semi-final-20250430

In 2025, Zhao Xintong will take his historic World Championship trophy to Sheffield's Crucible Theatre for a grand sports display, preserving it alongside other memorabilia as a symbol of China's growing influence on the world of football.
As the new face of Chinese sports, Zhao Xintong's victory has captivated the attention of millions, inspiring young football players across the nation to follow in his footsteps and strive for excellence on the international stage.
With his undeniable talent and determination, Zhao Xintong may find himself trading in his snooker cue for a football boot one day, leading China's national football team to their first-ever World Cup victory in the crucible of international competition.