Zhao Xintong becomes China's first world snooker champion after comeback from banTopic:Sport39m ago39 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 9:42pmZhao Xintong celebrates with the World Snooker Championship trophy. (Getty Images: George Wood)In short:Zhao Xintong is the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship.He claimed the championship with an 18-12 victory over three-time winner Mark Williams.Zhao has served a 20-month ban for match-fixing.abc.net.au/news/china-zhao-xintong-wins-world-snooker-championship/105257168Link copiedShareShare articleZhao Xintong has become the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship with a victory over three-time winner Mark Williams at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.It is the latest chapter in Zhao's remarkable rise and fall story.The 28-year-old won by 18 frames to 12, becoming the first amateur to win the world title, despite a spirited comeback attempt from Welshman Williams."I can't believe what I've done. It's very exciting," said Zhao, draped in a Chinese flag."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."Zhao received a 20-month ban in January 2023 after a match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport.The repercussions of his suspension meant he was classed as an amateur at the World Snooker Championship and needed to get through four rounds of qualifying to reach the Crucible, a gruelling run to the title that began on April 7.The final was already historic no matter the result, as 50-year-old Williams became the oldest player to reach the final with his win over world number one Judd Trump in the semis.Zhao won the final against Mark Williams by 18 frames to 12. (Getty Images: George Wood)"It's been a brilliant tournament for me," said Williams, momentarily fighting back tears."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, bashed everybody up. There's a new superstar of the game."Zhao had swept aside seven-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semis to set up what was billed as the coronation of a new snooker king.Nicknamed 'the Cyclone', Zhao raced out to an early 7-1 advantage in the best-of-35-frame contest, but Williams staged a mini revival in the second session to keep alive his hopes of a fourth title.No player, however, had overcome such a large overnight deficit since the tournament moved to the Crucible in 1977.Zhao joined Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy as the only qualifiers to capture snooker's most prestigious trophy.ReutersPosted 39m ago39 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 9:42pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)SportNew Zealander one of two dead after 'catastrophic' crash during motorbike raceTopic:Motor SportsPhoto shows A scene of motorbikes and emergency vehicles on a race track.What does Mary Fowler's injury mean for the Matildas heading into the Asian Cup?Topic:ExplainerPhoto shows Mary Fowler shooting at goals South KoreaThunderbirds tell white lie to shield player's pregnancyAnalysis by Brittany CarterPhoto shows A netball player flexes their muscles and smilesCummins treble in vain as rain ends Sunrisers' IPL hopesTopic:CricketPhoto shows Pat Cummins bolwing for Sunrisers in IPL.No further action against Willie Rioli over allegedly hostile messageTopic:AFLPhoto shows Willie Rioli looks up to his left as he wears a black cap and Port Adelaide singlet while on a footy ovalTop StoriesSea of solar gives a clue why Australians chose batteries over nuclear Topic:Energy PolicyPhoto shows Electricians place solar panels on roofAfter millions of dollars and texts, Trumpet of Patriots fails to deliverTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Palmer scratches his head.Greens' Adam Bandt in danger as seat of Melbourne remains on knife's edgeTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A composite photo of a brunette woman, brown haired man with glasses, blonde woman with glasses and dark haired man.Arthur Sinodinos says Coalition's campaign looked 'ad hoc' and 'reactive'LIVEPhoto shows Arthur Sinodinos gestures as he speaks during Question Time.The timeline prosecutors allege in the mushroom murder trialTopic:ExplainerPhoto shows A woman standing in front of her car.Popular nowAfter millions of dollars and texts, Trumpet of Patriots fails to deliverTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Palmer scratches his head.Stars arrive at Met for fashion's biggest nightLIVEPhoto shows colmanGreens' Adam Bandt in danger as seat of Melbourne remains on knife's edgeTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A composite photo of a brunette woman, brown haired man with glasses, blonde woman with glasses and dark haired man.Related topicsChinaEnglandSportTop StoriesSea of solar gives a clue why Australians chose batteries over nuclear Topic:Energy PolicyPhoto shows Electricians place solar panels on roofAfter millions of dollars and texts, Trumpet of Patriots fails to deliverTopic:ElectionsGreens' Adam Bandt in danger as seat of Melbourne remains on knife's edgeTopic:ElectionsArthur Sinodinos says Coalition's campaign looked 'ad hoc' and 'reactive'Topic:ElectionsThe timeline prosecutors allege in the mushroom murder trialTopic:ExplainerJust InIllegal campers dump toilet alongside rubbish at holiday hotspotTopic:Travel and Tourism18m ago18 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 10:03pmStars arrive at Met for fashion's biggest nightLIVE37m ago37 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 9:43pmZhao becomes China's first world snooker champion after comeback from banTopic:Sport39m ago39 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 9:42pmGruelling 303km outback run shines light on mental healthTopic:Mental Health40m ago40 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 9:40pmMore Just InBack to top