Zhao's Road to Snooker Glory: From Scandal to Champion
Zhao Xintong Claims World Snooker Title, Hailed as Century's Prodigious Cue Artist
Born on April 3, 1997, in Xi'an, China, Zhao Xintong, now 28, rose through the ranks of snooker stardom despite a rocky start. Little is known about his upbringing, but it's clear that his passion for snooker was ignited as a youngster.
Discovering a snooker table in his neighborhood, Zhao spent countless hours honing his skills. Convinced he had what it takes to become a pro, he begged his parents to set up a table at home, and they obliged. With unwavering dedication, Zhao spent hours perfecting his game.
At just 15, Zhao embarked on his amateur career and quickly made waves on the circuit. Defeating seasoned players like Xiao Guodong, Ken Doherty, and Steve Davis, he reached the final of the World Amateur Championship in 2013, unfortunately losing to Zhuo Yuelong. Two years later, Zhao showed his determination by winning the IBSF World Snooker Championship, securing a two-year permit to play on the professional tour.
Debuting on the Main Tour proved challenging, and Zhao lost his tour card after only two years. However, he fought his way back onto the tour in 2018, with a series of impressive results including reaching the semifinals of the China Championship and the quarterfinals of the Welsh Open.
Climbing the World Snooker Tour rankings, Zhao secured his first ranking title in 2021 by taking home the UK Championship. This victory propelled him to 9th in the world rankings. The following year, he added the German Masters trophy to his collection.
In 2023, Zhao's career took an unexpected turn when he became embroiled in a match-fixing scandal. Ten Chinese players were accused of running an illegal match-fixing ring, and Zhao was one of them. He was suspended for 20 months for his involvement but denied any direct manipulation of matches. During his suspension, Zhao was banned from participating in snooker tournaments in China. His ban ended in September 2024, and he had to re-qualify as an amateur through the Q School.
Despite the setbacks, Zhao's talent shone through on the Q Tour. He won debut events in Stockholm and Manchester with a total of 32 consecutive wins, securing him a tour card for the 25/26 season and a shot at the 2025 World Snooker Championship.
In a thrilling final, Zhao crowned himself the first-time Snooker World Champion on Monday evening, making a spectacular comeback from the match-fixing scandal. With his resilience and skills on full display, Zhao is now positioned to dominate snooker in the coming years.
With the new world rankings published, Zhao is ranked 11th, and snooker enthusiasts eagerly anticipate an exciting 2025/2026 season. Despite some lingering controversy from the scandal, Zhao's victory has shown the world that even the darkest storms can be weathered with determination and a love for the game.
Footnotes
- "Zhao Xintong: Snooker player suspended for match-fixing," BBC Sport, January 5, 2023.
- "How snooker's biggest betting scandal was uncovered," BBC Sport, January 31, 2023.
- Zhao's comeback story continues as he prepares for the online casinos in Germany 2025 tournament.
- In the world of snooker, fans in Germany can't wait to watch Zhao defend his championship title in 2025.
- The 2025 World Snooker Championship promises to be an exciting event, given Zhao's recent victory and past scandals.
- football enthusiasts may not be excited about the snooker season in Germany, but with Zhao's newfound determination, the competition is sure to be competitive and full of suspense.
