Snooker’s ‘new superstar’ Zhao Xintong bags landmark world championships success

Millions of snooker fans in China witnessed history as 28-year-old Zhao Xintong became the first Chinese player, and first Asian, to win the World Snooker Championship final.

Zhao, hailed as “a new superstar”, triumphed over Welsh player Mark Williams, a three-time champion, to win the trophy in the final in Sheffield, United Kingdom, with an 18-12 victory on May 5.

Zhao is the youngest world champion since 2005 winner Shaun Murphy, who was 22.

Overwhelmed by his achievement, Zhao, draped in a Chinese flag, said: “I can’t believe what I’ve done. It’s like a dream. I was so nervous tonight — Mark is still a top player and put me under so much pressure. He’s the best. This is a very special moment for me, for Chinese snooker, for everyone.”

The victory ignited an outpouring of jubilation across social media, with fans celebrating the long-awaited breakthrough, including one netizen who said, “Chinese snooker has found its worthy successor.”

Fans also said Zhao’s historic achievement will inspire future generations of young Chinese players.

Zhao’s success fulfilled a dream that eluded his compatriot trailblazer Ding Junhui, who narrowly missed winning the title in 2016.

That year, Ding became the first Asian player to reach the World Championship final, but he fell short against the UK’s Mark Selby.

Ding’s success has seen snooker’s popularity in China grow exponentially over the past two decades — and inspire Zhao.

Ding congratulated Zhao on Sina Weibo with a poignant post:

“It brings me such joy to see that the threshold I once struggled to break through has now become a runway for others — and today, someone finally sprinted all the way to the finish line,” Ding said.

“This glorious moment is the ultimate reward for Chinese snooker fans who’ve steadfastly supported us and waited for this day,” he added.

“Zhao’s victory isn’t just his own — it’s the realization of a shared dream that generations of Chinese players have worked toward. I’m thrilled for him and proud to witness the rise of China’s power on this stage.”

Zhao dominated May 4’s first two sessions at 11-6 and improved his advantage to 17-8 after the third session on May 5.

With Zhao just one frame away from making history, the 50-year-old Williams launched a strong comeback, taking four frames in a row at the start of the final session.

However, the three-time world champion could not hold off Zhao any further, as the Chinese player wrapped up the contest by winning the 30th frame with a break of 87.

Williams offered high praise for Zhao.

“I’m glad I’ll be too old when he’s dominating the game,” Williams said.

“What a potter he is, though. I’ve got nothing but admiration for what he’s done, coming through the qualifiers.

“He hasn’t played for two years, and he bashed everybody up. There’s a new superstar of the game.”

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has never hidden his admiration for Zhao — not even after suffering a decisive 17-7 semifinal defeat to the Chinese star in Sheffield.

“Zhao deserved his victory. I think he’s done brilliantly all tournament,” said O’Sullivan.

Zhao’s journey has been a long time in the making.

On April 3, 2005, the then-18-year-old Ding won the inaugural China Open, a glorious moment witnessed by Zhao, a budding snooker enthusiast who had only recently picked up a cue for the first time.

He was celebrating his 8th birthday that night. “I kept imagining back then — what would it feel like to stand on that champion’s podium one day?” Zhao later recalled.

China’s first snooker superstar added three UK Championships and the 2011 Masters to his legacy.

“Growing up, my dream was to become someone like Ding,” a 17-year-old Zhao confessed in the documentary Becoming Ding Junhui, where he was featured as a promising young snooker talent.

In Sheffield, Zhao did not just follow in Ding’s footsteps — he carved his own name into history.

Born in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, Zhao moved with his family to Shenzhen, Guangdong province, during his childhood.

An only child, young Zhao initially enjoyed playing table tennis and soccer.

That changed when his father gave him a shortened cue at age 6 to try hitting balls — unexpectedly, he demonstrated remarkable hand-eye coordination, quickly potting simple shots with natural ease.

As his fascination with the game grew, his parents converted a room in their home into a practice space with a full snooker table, and later scouted the country for coaches to develop his talent.

“He would spend entire days practicing alone at the table, even forgetting to eat,” recalled his mother.

In 2005, at just 8 years old, Zhao made waves in the country’s snooker community by compiling a 107 break in a local amateur tournament held in Xi’an.

His dedication and innate ability convinced his parents to fully commit to supporting their son’s snooker ambitions.

With such unwavering family support, a 17-year-old Zhao once reflected: “I feel like the luckiest young player in snooker.”

In late April 2013, a 16-year-old Zhao made his international debut, representing China at the 29th Asian Snooker Championship in Pakistan. That same year, he enrolled in a professional snooker academy, turning pro in 2016.

Zhao’s journey has not been without controversy — a 20-month suspension for his involvement in a betting scandal that saw ten Chinese players suspended in 2023, with two receiving lifetime bans.

Zhao’s relatively short ban reflected his cooperation with investigators and the fact that, while he placed bets, he was not involved in match-fixing.

He underwent counseling provided by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association to address psychological challenges and character weaknesses, supported throughout by loyal fans.

“That period taught me humility — and the real meaning of this sport,” he recalled.

Returning to competition last September, Zhao participated in the World Championship as an amateur before his official return to the professional tour next season.

The watershed win in the world championship propels Zhao to World No 11, among a record nine Chinese players in snooker’s top 32.

xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn