Zhao Xintong Claimed the World Snooker Championship Title, Hailed as the Century's Skillful Snooker Prodigy
Cracking the Crucible: Zhao Xintong's Improbable Ascension
Let's dive into the astounding saga of Zhao Xintong - the rebel, the prodigy, the snooker world champ!
Born in Xi'an, China, on April 3, '97, Zhao spent his early years surrounded by the soothing hum of a hospital and the gentle humdrum of life as an only child to doctors. But it wasn't until he stumbled upon a snooker table in his neighborhood that his world got a little louder. Hours turned into days (or was it nights?) as the game captured his fascination. Convincing his mom and dad to bring home a table of their own, Zhao transformed his living room into a classroom. He dreamt big, declaring his ambition to become a professional snooker player amid laughter and bewildered stares.
At just 15, he kicked off his amateur career with a bang, dismantling big names like Xiao Guodong, Ken Doherty, and Steve Davis. In 2013, he stormed the final of the World Amateur Championship, only to fall short against Zhuo Yuelong. But a little over a year later, a stroke of good luck earned him a tour card through the IBSF World Snooker Championship.
His initial stint on the Main Tour had its hiccups. Heartbreaks galore followed missteps, and he found himself without a tour card just two years into his journey. But 2018 marked a significant shift. With a semifinal appearance at the China Championship under his belt, and a quarterfinal finish at the Welsh Open, things started looking up. The following year, Zhao set foot in the World Snooker Championship for the very first time, but it ended in a stumble against Mark Selby.
However, the grit never left him. Climbing the World Snooker Tour (WST) rankings steadily, Zhao conquered his first ranking title in 2021, trouncing Luca Brecel in the UK Championship with a 10-5 victory. His victory vaulted him to ninth in the world rankings and won him the German Masters the following year.
The ride hit a rough patch in 2023. Caught up in a match-fixing scandal that shook the snooker community, Zhao was temporarily suspended. Investigations revealed it to be the biggest match-fixing scheme in snooker history. Ten Chinese players, including Zhao, were implicated, and some faced lifetime bans. However, Zhao's lenient punishment of 20 months - owing to his cooperation - ended in September 2024. He then had to qualify again as an amateur through the Q School.
An unfortunate side note: until July 2025, Zhao cannot participate in snooker tournaments in China. The Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association imposed a longer ban on him due to his involvement in the match-fixing ring. Nevertheless, he created a stir on the Q Tour, winning the Q Tour Event 3 in Stockholm and the Q Tour Event 4 in Manchester, even making a maximum break in both instances.
Despite the odds, on May 7, 2025, Zhao made history, becoming the first Chinese player to win the snooker world championship. He crowned himself champion after a grueling match against Mark Williams, marking a monumental moment for Chinese snooker.
With the potential to dominate snooker in the coming years, Zhao's future shimmers with promise. After his win, he soared up to 11th in the new WST rankings, promising an exciting season ahead.
As Zhao faces challenges, he can draw wisdom from Yan Bingtao, another banned player vowing support for his fellow compatriot. Balancing fame, commercial activities, and sporting performance, Zhao strides forward, proving, as always, that no threat can stop a tiger when it's hungry for success.
What about sports has captivated Zhao Xintong's interest, causing him to pursue it relentlessly even in the face of adversity? Football hasn't been his focus, but it's clear that the game he's dedicated his life to is snooker, as he became the first Chinese player to win the snooker world championship.
