Snooker Sensation: Zhao Xintong's Historic Victory

Zhao Xintong makes history as the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship, defeating Mark Williams 18-12 in a thrilling final.

Zhao Xintong, nicknamed “the Cyclone,” has set his sights on more titles after making history as the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship.

The 28-year-old secured a remarkable 18-12 victory over Mark Williams at the Crucible Theatre, hoping his success will inspire a new wave of snooker talent in China.

Zhao Xintong's World Championship win sparked widespread celebration in China, marking a significant breakthrough for the sport.

“I did realise that my victory is important for Chinese snooker,” Zhao said in an interview with Xinhua, China's state news agency. His achievement is part of a growing trend, with five Chinese players finishing the season in the top 20.

Zhao Xintong expressed his desire to win more tournaments, believing it will draw more people to the sport. “I believe I can win more tournaments in the future to attract more people to be involved in the sport. I will refresh myself and look forward to a brand-new start of my career.”

ZHAO XINTONG IS THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD! 🏆#HaloWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/z8xyRzHHZ2

— WST (@WeAreWST) May 5, 2025

Zhao's journey to the title was remarkable, given his recent past. He was banned for 20 months in January 2023 due to a match-fixing scandal and had to navigate four qualifying rounds as an amateur to reach the Crucible, starting his campaign on April 7.

“I did something wrong and I learned from it, but I have never lost faith in myself. I kept practicing as usual and I followed the pro tour attentively,” Zhao said.

Zhao Xintong emphasized his determination to continue pursuing snooker, saying, “I have never thought about quitting snooker but coming back stronger.”

Before his historic win, Zhao had expressed concerns about matching the intensity required in major events and admitted to having no expectations going into the World Championship.

“After all, I haven't played in top-class tournaments for quite a long time... I was happy that I could reach the final stages and show up at the Crucible.”