Zhao Xintong: Snooker's Controversial Champion 2025
Zhao Xintong Secures World Snooker Title, Earning Title of Century's Talent
Zhao Xintong, 28, has made headlines as thecentennial snooker talent, despite his tumultuous career. Born on April 3, 1997, in Xi'an, China, this contemporary marvel hails from humble beginnings. Little is known about his family, with his parents working in a hospital and him growing up an only child.
Early Snooker Passion
At the tender age of eight, Zhao stumbled upon a snooker table in his neighborhood and spent hours honing his skills. With sheer determination, he managed to convince his parents to purchase a table for their home. His obsession with the game intensified, and he dedicated countless hours to practicing.
Jumpstarting his amateur career at 15, Zhao's raw talents quickly set him apart from his peers. He secured impressive victories over esteemed players like Xiao Guodong, Ken Doherty, and Steve Davis. However, his first major tournament disappointment came in 2013 when he lost in the World Amateur Championship final to Zhuo Yuelong.
Climbing the Rankings
Zhao's early professional years on the Main Tour were rocky. Despite entering numerous ranking events, he struggled to make an impact. Unfortunately, he lost his tour card after merely two years. In 2018, he turned things around by reaching the semifinals of the China Championship and the quarterfinals of the Welsh Open. Although he failed to make it to the World Championship finals that year, his progress was evident.
The following years saw Zhao ascend the World Snooker Tour rankings. In 2021, he achieved his first ranking title by defeating Luca Brecel 10-5 in the UK Championship final, moving up to ninth in the world rankings. Victory at the German Masters in 2022 further cemented his status as a rising star.
Match-Fixing Scandal and Suspension
In 2023, Zhao's meteoric rise took a drastic turn. On January 3, he was temporarily suspended due to a match-fixing investigation [Link in English]. The subsequent unraveling of events led to a massive match-fixing scandal in snooker history. Liang Wenbo and Li Hang were accused of raning an illegal match-fixing ring and manipulating results. Ten Chinese players, including Zhao Xintong, were implicated. While some received lifetime bans, Zhao was suspended for 20 months [Link in English].
An independent commission concluded that Zhao himself did not manipulate any matches. However, he was aware of the match-fixing ring and placed bets on behalf of another player. Since he admitted his involvement, his punishment was relatively lenient.
Post-Suspension and World Championship Triumph
Zhao's ban ended on September 1, 2024. He had to re-qualify through the Q School as an amateur. Although he was banned from participating in snooker tournaments in China until July 2025, the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association imposed a longer ban on Zhao in the match-fixing scandal. After making a grand splash on the Q Tour, Zhao secured a tour card for the 25/26 season and qualified for the 2025 Snooker World Championship.
Following a stellar performance in the tournament, Zhao crowned himself the Snooker World Champion for the first time on May 6, 2025. His victory, a historic first for a Chinese player, was overshadowed by the complexity of his past, particularly the recent match-fixing ban.
Zhao's Powerful Playing Style
For many experts and players, Zhao is one of the greatest snooker talents of all time. His aggressive and daring playing style, reminiscent of legendary players, sets him apart from his peers. At the snooker world championship, he exhibited extraordinary precision and strong safety play, securing nail-biting victories.
Post-Championship and Future Prospects
With the world championship under his belt, Zhao undoubtedly has the potential to dominate snooker in the coming years. Although his earlier ban and the match-fixing scandal have complicated the celebration of his success, snooker fans can look forward to an exciting 2025/2026 season.
The WST published the new world rankings yesterday, where Zhao is now ranked 11th. With his renewed determination and newfound talent, the world will eagerly await Zhao's next moves in the snooker world.
Key Events Timeline
- 2021: Wins the UK Championship, solidifying his status as a major talent.
- 2022: Wins the German Masters, further cementing his position as a rising star.
- Early 2023: Banned for two years due to match-fixing scandal involvement.
- Late 2023: Returns to professional play after serving suspension.
- 2025: Claims the World Snooker Championship, the first Chinese player to do so, defeating Mark Williams 18-12 in the final.
A Complex Legacy
Zhao Xintong's journey is marked by both extraordinary achievements and controversy. While his World Championship victory has positioned him atop the snooker world, his earlier ban and the match-fixing scandal have cast a dark shadow over his success. His story serves as a vivid reminder of the potential and pitfalls in the globalization of snooker.
- What about Zhao Xintong's lifetime received a boost after he was reinstated in the snooker world following his suspension in 2024?
- Despite the controversy surrounding his match-fixing scandal, Zhao Xintong's masterful playing style in snooker was evident during the 2025 World Championship where he received his first lifetime title.
- After the match-fixing scandal, did Zhao Xintong ever return to the sport and manage to secure major victories in sports?
