US EditionZhao Xintong beats Mark Williams to win historic World Snooker Championship title
- Zhao Xintong won the World Snooker Championship final 18-12 against Mark Williams at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre on May 5, 2025.
- Zhao returned to competition after a 20-month ban from January 2023, which followed a match-fixing scandal involving 10 Chinese players including himself.
- Zhao reached the final by defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan and built an early 7-1 lead before Williams, aged 50 and seeking a fourth title, made a late resurgence.
- Zhao earned £500,000, while Williams called him "a new superstar of the game," and commentator Steve Davis praised Zhao's composure and quality.
- Zhao's victory marks China’s first snooker world champion and suggests a significant comeback and growing influence of Chinese players in the sport.
118 Articles
118 Articles
Zhao Xintong: China's controversial snooker champion
The "long-overdue" moment of an Asian player winning the World Snooker Championship for the first time "was supposed to be one of unalloyed joy", said Luke Baker in The Independent. But there is an "air of hesitancy around the celebrations".China's Zhao Xintong "cut a swathe through qualifying and the main stage" in Sheffield to set up a final against Mark Williams, the Welshman "gunning for his fourth Crucible title". But Williams "proved no ma…
World Snooker Tour respond to player outrage over Zhao Xintong ranking
Zhao Xintong was crowned world champion on Monday night (Picture: Getty Images) World Snooker Tour accept that the wording could have been clearer after Zhao Xintong’s ranking status caused confusion and anger among players. The Chinese star won the World Snooker Championship on Monday night, beating Mark Williams 18-12 in the Crucible final. The 28-year-old did so under amateur status as he was banned from the sport for 20-months for being conc…
From Barrier to Redeemer of Snooker Power China
A historic coup! For 20 years, the up-and-coming Snooker power China has been looking forward to the first World Cup title of one of their billiard heroes. With an 18:12 Mark Williams award, Zhao Xintong made this milestone in the final of Sheffield. But his triumph has a bitter taste, until a few months ago the 28-year-old was still blocked.
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