Dethroning the Past: Zhao Xintong's Rise as the 2025 Snooker World Champion
Zhao Xintong Claims World Snooker Crown, Heralded as Century's Top Prodigy in Cue Sports
Hail the new king! Zhao Xintong, a force to be reckoned with in the snooker world, has taken the 2025 Snooker World Championship by storm. Born and bred in Xi'an, China on April 3, 1997, this 28-year-old phenomenon has defied all odds to become a household name.
Growing up an only child, Zhao's passion for snooker began at the tender age of eight—a chance encounter with a neighborhood table leading to countless hours of practice. With dreams swirling in his mind, he persuaded his parents to install a snooker table at home, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Zhao's professional journey commenced in 2012 at the age of 15, setting the snooker sphere ablaze with his prodigious talent. He didn't disappoint, vanquishing seasoned players like Xiao Guodong, Ken Doherty, and Steve Davis in record time. However, his initial foray onto the Main Tour was met with mixed results, ultimately leading to the temporary loss of his tour card in 2017.
Determined to reclaim his position among the crème de la crème of snooker, Zhao persevered and made a triumphant comeback in 2018. With semifinal appearances at the China Championship and quarterfinal slots at the Welsh Open, he proved that his talent knew no bounds.
The crowning achievement of Zhao's career thus far was undoubtedly his ascent to the number 9 spot in the world rankings, courtesy of his 2021 triumph at the UK Championship against Luca Brecel. Hot on the heels of this victory, he claimed the German Masters in 2022, cementing his place within the world's top echelon of snooker players.
Shortly thereafter, the storm clouds gathered, as Zhao was briefly engulfed in a match-fixing scandal in 2023. Despite this setback, an independent commission found that he himself did not rig any matches. Nevertheless, he was handed a 20-month ban, serving a portion of it before regaining his freedom in late 2024.
Upon his return to the snooker world via the amateur Q Tour, Zhao left an indelible mark. Winning the Q Tour Event 3 in Stockholm and the Q Tour Event 4 in Manchester, he streaked to 32 consecutive victories and secured a tour card for the 25/26 season. With the Snooker World Championship 2025 within his grasp, he seized the opportunity and etched his name in the history books as the new champion!
Zhao Xintong's ingenious, attacking style of play has left seasoned experts and players in awe, earning comparisons to the legendary Stephen Hendry. His World Championship display highlighted his extraordinary accuracy and pinpoint potting, suggesting that there's plenty more where that came from.
With high hopes for the 2025/2026 season, snooker enthusiasts eagerly await the unfolding drama that will undoubtedly ensue. As Zhao Xintong embarks on a new journey, the future seems bright, filled with potential and unparalleled opportunity.
[1] World Snooker Tour – Zhao Xintong’s Challenging Past and Controversial Return (https://www.wst.tv/articles/zhao-xintong-world-snooker-scandal)[2] Snooker Scandals – Liang Wenbo and Others implicated in Match-Fixing (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/56481933)[3] SnookerWorld – Mark King's Match-Fixing Ban Upheld (https://www.snookerworld.co.uk/news/latest_news/mark-kings-match-fixing-ban-upheld/)
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