"Zhao Xintong Crowned World Snooker Champion, Hailed as Century's Phenom"
"The Snooker World Champion Unveiled: Zhao Xintong's Turbulent Rise to the Top"
Chasing dreams on shootin' greens since '97, Zhao Xintong, 28, is nown as the prodigious snooker sensation born in Xi'an, China.
As a solitary child whose parents worked long hours in a hospital, young Zhao discovered a hidden treasure in his neighborhood—a snooker table—and devoted countless hours to perfecting his craft determined to turn it into a career.
By the tender age of 15, Zhao put on his professional cue boots and set foot onto the Main Tour with a fiery passion, taking down seasoned opponents like Xiao Guodong, Ken Doherty, and Steve Davis. Heartbreakingly, at the World Amateur Championship in 2013, Zhao came agonizingly close to snatching the title but lost to Zhuo Yuelong—one tour card denied.
Fortune smiled upon him in 2015 as he snagged the tour card he longed for by claiming the IBSF World Snooker Championship title. The victory allowed him to play on the professional tour for the next two years.
Bursts and Rebounds
Zhao's early appearances on the Main Tour hit some roadblocks, but he refused to let defeat dampen his spirits. In 2018, Zhao rebounded with a bang, bursting into the semifinals of the China Championship and snatching a quarterfinal berth at the Welsh Open.
A year later, he secured a spot at the World Snooker Championship for the first time but bowed out in the opening round to Mark Selby. Following this setback, Zhao inched closer to the top 16, excelling in multiple tournaments and even capturing his maiden ranking title at the UK Championship in 2021 against Luca Brecel. With this victory, he climbed to ninth place in the world rankings.
A Scandal Stains the Crown
In the nail-biting year of 2023, a specter of scandal haunted Zhao's career when he was implicated in the biggest match-fixing scandal in the history of snooker. Liang Wenbo and Li Hang were accused of running an illegal match-fixing ring, which ensnared ten Chinese players, including Zhao. Though some received lifetime bans, Zhao's transgressions were relatively less severe, earning him a 20-month suspension for supporting the fixing ring and placing bets for another player [1].
Post-ban, Zhao faced another challenge, being forbidden to compete in snooker tournaments in China until July 2025. However, opportunity always knocks, and Zhao was invited to play in international competitions, eventually climbing back to the Main Tour.
A Maximal Maverick on the Q Tour
Returning to competition, Zhao made waves on the Q Tour and rose to the top, winning three consecutive events—the Q Tour Event 3 in Stockholm and the Q Tour Event 4 in Manchester. En route, Zhao accomplished the rare feat of making a maximum break in both tournaments, nabbing himself a tour card for the 2025/2026 season and a shot at qualifying for the 2025 Snooker World Championship [2].
His Time to Shine: The Road to Victory
After conquering the qualifiers and toppling his foes in the main draw, Zhao solidified his place in snooker history as the unlikely yet undefeated champion. His dazzling display of skill on the World Snooker Championship stage saw him rise from humble amateur beginnings to the crowning glory of the World Champion [3].
In the new world rankings released post-tournament, Zhao snatched an impressive eleventh place [4], signaling a promising future for the young champion. The snooker realm is buzzing with excitement as fans eagerly await the unfolding of the 2025/2026 season.
[1] - Source: English Link
[2] - Source: English Link
[3] - Source: English Video Link
[4] - Source: English Link
What about football?Despite his success in snooker, Zhao Xintong has ventured into the realm of football, experimenting with a change of pace and challenging himself in a completely new environment.
