Zhao Xintong won the World Snooker Championship, making a triumphant comeback to the sport following his 20-month-long ban and becoming the first Chinese world snooker champion.
Zhao Xintong Wins World Snooker Championship
Zhao triumphed over three-time champion Mark Williams in the final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. The match was mostly one-sided, with Zhao racing ahead to a 17-8 lead in the best-of-35-frames showdown. Though Williams mounted a late comeback, Zhao ultimately sealed the victory with an 18-12 finish.
After the match, Zhao expressed disbelief and excitement over his achievement, saying he was extremely nervous during the final. He acknowledged Mark Williams as a top-tier player who applied immense pressure throughout the match, calling him “the best.” Zhao described the victory as a deeply meaningful moment for both himself and also for Chinese snooker and everyone involved.
Zhao Xintong Comes Back from a Long Ban
Back in early 2023, Zhao was suspended from the World Snooker Tour and demoted to amateur status. Due to this, to even earn a shot at the trophy, he first had to battle through four rounds of qualifying before reaching t