Zhao Xintong Claims World Snooker Title, Acknowledged as Century's Most Gifted Player in the Sport
Zhao Xintong Crowned Snooker World Champion 2025
Zhao Xintong, a 28-year-old prodigy, claimed the prestigious Snooker World Championship title on Monday evening, marking a significant comeback after a 20-month ban following a match-fixing scandal.
Born in Xi'an, China, on April 3, 1997, Zhao's parents were hospital workers, raising him as an only child. His passion for snooker ignited at eight when he discovered a table in his neighborhood. After convincing his parents to bring a table home, he dedicated countless hours to practicing. His ambition was clear, and he expressed a desire to become a professional player.
Zhao initiated his amateur career in 2012 at the age of 15. He quickly made a name for himself by defeating seasoned players like Xiao Guodong, Ken Doherty, and Steve Davis. In 2013, he reached the final of the World Amateur Championship but was narrowly defeated by Zhuo Yuelong.
Pure chance propelled Zhao to the professional tour two years later. In the finals of the IBSF World Snooker Championship, an amateur tournament, he lost to Pankaj Advani. Graciously declining the tour card, Advani paved the way for Zhao to play on the professional tour for two years.
Zhao's initial years on the Main Tour were challenging. Despite participating in numerous ranking events, he struggled to make an impact. His tour card was revoked after just two years, forcing him to compete in the Q School to regain his spot.
In 2018, Zhao experienced his first major success, reaching the semifinals of the China Championship and the quarterfinals of the Welsh Open. A year later, he qualified for the World Snooker Championship for the first time but lost in the first round to Mark Selby.
Climbing the WST world rankings, Zhao reached the last 16 in many tournaments. He won his first ranking title in 2021, taking home the UK Championship with a 10-5 victory against Luca Brecel. This triumph catapulted him to ninth place in the world rankings, a position he solidified further by winning the German Masters in 2022.
In 2023, however, Zhao's rising career took an unexpected turn. He was temporarily suspended due to a match-fixing investigation. The investigation uncovered the largest match-fixing scandal in snooker history, involving several Chinese players, including Zhao. While his ban ended on September 1, 2024, Zhao was prohibited from participating in snooker tournaments in China until July 2025, according to the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association.
Despite the setbacks, Zhao demonstrated great resilience upon his return. He made a splash on the Q Tour, winning three consecutive events, including the Q Tour Event 3 in Stockholm and the Q Tour Event 4 in Manchester. Remarkably, he achieved a maximum break in both tournaments - a first for the Q Tour.
Zhao's impressive form earned him a tour card for the 25/26 season and an opportunity to qualify for the Snooker World Championship 2025. After successfully navigating the qualification rounds and dominating his opponents in the main draw, he crowned himself the Snooker World Champion for the first time.
Against all odds, Zhao has emerged as one of the greatest snooker talents of all time. With his attacking playing style, reminiscent of Stephen Hendry, and remarkable accuracy, he showcased his potential to dominate the sport and become a household name. The snooker world eagerly awaits Zhao's upcoming season, which promises to be an exciting one.
Sources:[1] The Guardian[2] BBC Sport[4] WPBSA official website[Link in English] may be found in the original article for further information.
What a turn of events, will sports fans applaud for football the way they did for snooker when Zhao Xintong defends his World Championship title next season? After all, he's just come off a triumphant comeback, winning the title despite a 20-month ban following a match-fixing scandal.
