Zhao Xintong has made history by becoming the first Asian and first amateur to win the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible. He beat three-time champion Mark Williams 18–12 in the final, capping off an incredible journey that few could have predicted.
Just 28 years old, Zhao only returned to the sport this season after serving a 20-month suspension related to a match-fixing investigation. Starting as a qualifier, he had to win four matches just to reach the main tournament. From there, he stunned the snooker world by going all the way to the top. He is now only the third player in history to win the title as a qualifier since the tournament moved to Sheffield in 1977.
His victory is being seen as a turning point, especially in China, where snooker is extremely popular. The country has over 300,000 snooker clubs, and Zhao’s win is expected to spark even more interest. It follows Bai Yulu’s triumph at the Women’s World Championship in 2024, marking a proud time for Chinese snooker fans.
Mark Williams called Zhao a “superstar” and said he was glad he’d be retired when Zhao starts dominating the game. World Snooker chairman Jason Ferguson said Zhao has the potential to take the sport “to another level” in China, where national heroes are hugely celebrated.
Zhao’s rise is also seen as a major moment for the future of the sport. With legends like Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins approaching the end of their careers, many believe that the next generation of top players could come from China. Zhao will now rise to number 11 in the world rankings, with several other Chinese players not far behind.
His win caused a stir on Chinese social media, with over 100 million views for the hashtag celebrating his victory. Fans shared AI-made art of Zhao waving the Chinese flag, calling him a symbol of a new era.
After lifting the trophy, Zhao said he still couldn’t believe it had happened. He hopes his win will inspire children in China to believe they can achieve great things too. From a long suspension to world champion in the same season, Zhao’s journey is one of the most remarkable in snooker history — and it may just be the beginning.
