China’s First World Snooker Champion Zhao Xintong Already Plotting His Next Big Prize

Controversial yet supremely talented, Zhao Xintong etched his name into snooker history by becoming the first Chinese player to win the World Championship, beating three-time winner and Class of ’92 stalwart Mark Williams 18-12 in the final at Sheffield’s iconic Crucible Theatre.

The match was effectively over after the opening session, as Zhao stormed into a 7-1 lead that Williams never truly recovered from. 

The 28-year-old, nicknamed The Chinese Cyclone, looked fresher and sharper throughout, having enjoyed a full day’s rest after dismantling seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan with a session to spare in the semi-finals. In contrast, Williams was still battling with world number one Judd Trump the night before the final.

Early Lead Proves Decisive

Williams showed brief signs of a comeback in the second session, but Zhao’s commanding start gave him too much breathing room. Trailing 11-6 overnight, Williams needed what would have been the greatest overnight comeback in Crucible history to claim a fourth world title – but it never materialised.

The third session proved decisive. Zhao won six of the eight frames on Sunday afternoon to take a 17-8 lead, putting himself just one frame from immortality.

Williams Battles, but Zhao Finishes in Style

With 900 fans packed into the Crucible and an estimated 150 million viewers watching back home in China – where it was 3.30am local time – Williams restored some pride by taking the first four frames of the final session. 

But Zhao sealed the deal immediately after the mid-session interval, clinching an 18-12 victory and becoming China’s first ever world snooker champion.

Immediately after the final, Zhao – the first world champion from both China and Asia – was quick to express his gratitude to fans back home and highlight just how significant this moment could be for the future of snooker across the continent.

“This is very good for China. I’m very happy right now, I do this for me.”

“I think now we give them power. In the future, many Chinese players can go and do this.”

From Suspension to World Champion

Zhao’s return to snooker has been anything but straightforward. 

Despite being classed as an ‘amateur’ entrant at this year’s tournament, his pedigree was never in question. The 2021 UK Championship winner served a 20-month suspension for betting offences – part of the sport’s biggest-ever corruption scandal in 2023. Although not guilty of match-fixing, Zhao was one of ten Chinese players punished.

After dominating the secondary Q Tour and earning a fresh two-year pro card, the WPBSA granted him a qualifying spot. He made the most of it, grinding through four tough matches at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport to secure his Crucible return.

Zhao reflected on his time away from the sport, admitting he felt ready to return to professional snooker—but still can’t quite believe he’s managed to go all the way and lift the world title.

“Nearly two years I didn’t play the tour or any competitions. My first target was to qualify, I can’t believe I could go on and become the champion.”

“I believe I could come back soon, but I can’t believe I could become for the world champion in such a short time. I’m so proud of myself.”

The final against Williams was his 47th win since his comeback, having lost just twice across professional and amateur events. His only defeats came at the hands of reigning Masters champion Shaun Murphy at the UK Championship, and Craig Steadman during a Q Tour event in Bulgaria.

Chimchar, Luck, and the Triple Crown Dream

Throughout the World Championship, Zhao sported a unique bowtie featuring Chimchar – a fiery monkey Pokémon. 

According to Pokémon.com, Chimchar is “very agile” and “extinguishes the flame on its tail before sleeping to prevent fires.” A fitting symbol for Zhao’s explosive and precise snooker.

True to Pokémon’s famous slogan, “Gotta catch ’em all!”, Zhao already has his sights set on completing snooker’s prestigious Triple Crown. 

With a UK Championship and now a World Championship under his belt, only the Masters title remains—and capturing it would make him the first Chinese player ever to achieve the full set.

“Definitely, I want to do that too. That’s also a dream of mine [win all three Triple Crown events], every snooker player wants to do this,” he told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

While Chinese great Ding Junhui came close – winning the UK Championship and the Masters – he never lifted the World Championship. 

At ten years Ding’s junior, Zhao now appears best placed to become the first Chinese player to complete snooker’s greatest honour roll.