Zhao Xintong's historic comeback becomes China's first world snooker champion
Zhao Xintong has become the first Chinese player to claim the World Snooker Championship title. He defeated three-time champion Welshman Mark Williams at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Zhao, 28, won 18-12, making history as the first amateur to win the world title.
A match-fixing scandal that almost ended it all
In January 2023, Zhao’s promising career took a dramatic plunge. He was handed a 20-month suspension for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal that shook the snooker world. The Chinese sensation, along with several others, was found guilty of breaching betting rules—an incident that cast a long shadow over his once-bright future.
Zhao was one of ten Chinese players caught in a match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport in 2023. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) charged him with offences related to match-fixing. At the time, he was the 2021 UK Championship winner and ranked ninth in the world.
Zhao pleaded guilty to betting on matches and being aware that another player was throwing games for money. The WPBSA found him guilty of match manipulation and betting between 2019 and 2022 but, crucially, exonerated him of actively fixing his matches. He admitted to assisting another player in rigging two matches involving Yan Bingtao in March 2022.
The journey to becoming 2025 World Snooker Champion
Zhao lives just ten minutes from the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, where local support was massive with Chinese flags waving proudly. For Zhao, it was home turf, and he defended it with everything he had. In the semi-final, Zhao faced the mighty Ronnie O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion and snooker legend. But Zhao outplayed Ronnie with audacity, flair, and tactical brilliance.
After becoming World Champion, Zhao stated, “I can’t believe what I’ve done. It’s very exciting. I was so nervous tonight. Mark is still a top player and put me under so much pressure. He’s the best. It’s a very special moment for me, for Chinese snooker, for everyone.”
Also read: Snooker pro Mark King banned for five years over match-fixing scandal
Historic final against Mark Williams
Against three-time world champion Mark Williams, Zhao romped out of the blocks, leading 7-1 from the opening session. He sustained that momentum over the second session, going into the final day with an 11-6 advantage. His shot selection was impeccable, his confidence unshakeable.
In the evening session, Williams, a 50-year-old Welshman, clawed back four straight frames, reducing the deficit and turning up the heat. But Zhao didn’t flinch. In the fifth frame of the evening, he sealed the deal. An ice-cold clearance ended the match at 18-12, making Zhao the first Chinese player—and only the third qualifier in history—to win the World Snooker Championship.
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At 50, Williams became the oldest player to reach the final since the tournament moved to the Crucible in 1977. After the match, Williams showed nothing but admiration.
He stated, “It’s been a brilliant tournament for me. The support I’ve had for the past two weeks has been unbelievable. But what a potter Zhao is. I’m glad I’ll be too old when he’s dominating the game. I’ve got nothing but admiration for what he’s done coming through the qualifiers. He hasn’t played for two years and bashed everybody up. There’s a new superstar of the game.”
Zhao banked a cheque for £500,000 with Monday’s victory, while Williams won £200,000 and climbed to number three in the world ranking.
What’s next for Zhao Xintong?
With snooker booming in China, Zhao’s triumph solidifies the country’s presence at the highest level of the sport. He has become a role model for the next generation. Becoming the first amateur and the first Chinese champion at the Crucible is a historic feat. With this title, Zhao is set to re-enter the top ranks of professional snooker.
