Zhao Xintong Crowned World Snooker Champion of the Century, Demonstrating Remarkable Skill and Talent
Heralding a New Era: Zhao Xintong, the Unstoppable Snooker ChampionA Tale of Scandal, Redemption, and TriumphThis man's rise to the top is riveting, and his story's not over yet.
Born on a balmy April day in 1997 in Xi'an, China, Zhao Xintong grew up with an ordinary family. Both parents were hardworking hospital staff, and young Zhao was their solitary child.
At the tender age of eight, Zhao stumbled upon a snooker table in his neighborhood, and an obsession was born. His parents eventually gave in to his relentless pleads and set up a table at home, where he spent countless hours honing his skills. Ambition shone in his eyes as he declared his intentions to become a professional snooker player.
At just 15 years old, Zhao kicked off his amateur career, leaving opponents like Xiao Guodong, Ken Doherty, and Steve Davis in his wake. He even reached the final of the World Amateur Championship, but a narrow loss to Zhuo Yuelong denied him a tour card.
A fortunate break came his way two years later, as fate would have it. Verging on defeat in the final of the IBSF World Snooker Championship, Pankaj Advani, the victor, declined the tour card. With the golden ticket now in his hands, Zhao embarked on his journey to the top.
Climbing the Ranks
Zhao's start on the Main Tour was rocky, with many early defeats and a subsequent loss of his tour card after just two years. Qualifying again through the Q School, he made a splash in the 2018 China Championship, reaching the semifinals, and the Welsh Open quarterfinals that same year.
In the following years, Zhao climbed the World Snooker Tour (WST) rankings and made it to the last 16 in numerous tournaments. His career took a significant leap forward in 2021 when he clinched his first ranking title at the UK Championship, besting Luca Brecel 10-5 in the final. This victory propelled him to the coveted number 9 position in the world rankings. He continued his winning streak by nabbing the German Masters title in 2022.
The Match-Fixing Scandal and Redemption
In 2023, Zhao's promising career faced a massive hurdle. On January 3, he was temporarily suspended due to a match-fixing investigation – the largest scandal in snooker's history. Ten Chinese players, including Zhao, were implicated in the corruption ring. While some received lifetime bans, Zhao's sentence was 20 months, during which he couldn’t participate in snooker tournaments.
After an independent commission found no evidence of Zhao manipulating results, his lenient sentence was largely due to his cooperation, leading to the apprehension of several other players. His ban ended on September 1, 2024, and, despite his impressive track record, he had to re-qualify as an amateur through the Q School.
However, until July 2025, Zhao is not allowed to participate in snooker tournaments in China. The Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association imposed a longer ban on him due to the match-fixing scandal.
A Force to Be Reckoned With
Zhao's playing style is often compared to the great Stephen Hendry. His attacking approach and remarkable accuracy have left experts and players in awe. At the World Snooker Championship, he demonstrated his extraordinary potting ability, making seemingly impossible shots with impeccable precision.
After his ban, Zhao stunned the Q Tour, winning three consecutive events, and making two maximum breaks – a first on the Q Tour. These triumphs secured him a tour card for the 2025/2026 season and qualified him for the prestigious World Snooker Championship.
Against all odds, Zhao crowned himself as the first-time Snooker World Champion on Monday evening, defeating renowned players like Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams.
The Road Ahead
Now ranked 11th in the world, Zhao has the potential to dominate snooker in the coming years. With renewed confidence and opportunities for sponsorships and media appearances, fans can expect an exciting 2025/2026 season.
Zhao's victory is expected to accelerate the growth of snooker in China, where his story has already caught the attention of more than 150 million Chinese viewers on CCTV alone. His win marks a major turning point not only for his career but also for snooker in China and Asia.
What about his career in sports after the match-fixing scandal?According to the article, Zhao Xintong, despite an alleged match-fixing scandal, returned to the snooker world and won the World Snooker Championship, showcasing his tenacity in football (sports) and resilience in the face of adversity.
