China’s Zhao Xintong Makes History at World Snooker Championship
History Made at the Crucible
In a historic moment for Chinese snooker, Zhao Xintong XMLHttpRequest[“metric”]() claimed the World Snooker Championship title, defeating seasoned competitor Mark Williams 18-12 in the final.
Zhao’s Remarkable Journey
Zhao’s rise to the top has been anything but conventional. Just two years ago, he was serving a ban from snooker following a match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport. But the 28-year-old left-hander has bounced back from his suspension, winning multiple Q Tour events, and earning a spot at the UK Championship as an amateur.
“Zhao Xintong was at the very lower end of those bans, he was never accused of cheating… He took his punishment on the chin, admitted it straight away, paid all his fines and since then he’s done everything right.”
Shaun Murphy, former world champion
luzsz0beating the Competition
Zhao dismantled Ronnie O’Sullivan, one of snooker’s greats, 13-9 in the semi-finals. In the final, he overpowered Williams 18-12 to secure the title.
China’s Dominance in Snooker
With Zhao’s victory, China continues its rise as a snooker powerhouse. The country has produced talented players like Jimmy White and Yan Bingtao. Zhao’s success could inspire a new generation of Chinese snooker players.
Recent Events
- 2021: Zhao wins UK Championship, his first major title.
- 2023: Ban lifted, returns to professional snooker via the Q Tour.
- 2023: Qualifies for the World Snooker Championship.
- 2023: Becomes the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship.
Zhao’s Perspective
“I believed I could come back from my ban and do well soon but I can’t believe I’m the world champion in such a short time. I’m so proud of myself. I’m back now. I’m so happy to be back and I will keep going,” said Zhao following his victory.
FAQ
How old is Zhao Xintong?
Zhao Xintong is 28 years old.
How many World Snooker Championship titles has Zhao won?
This is Zhao’s first World Snooker Championship title.
With his historic victory, Zhao Xintong has cemented his place in snooker history. His journey from a banned player to World Champion serves as an inspiration for players worldwide. Keep up with more snooker news by signing up to our free sport newsletter here.
Share your thoughts on Zhao’s impressive comeback in the comments below!