Editorial | China the winner in Zhao snooker glory
Zhao Xintong, nation’s first world champion of the green baize, will inspire youngsters throughout the land, including Hong Kong
China has waited a long time for its first world snooker champion. Zhao Xintong’s stunning victory in the final made a dream come true and will have far-reaching consequences for the sport. Zhao beat Welsh star Mark Williams in style, winning 18-12 at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in England. He was given a standing ovation and waved the national flag.
The 28-year-old had beaten seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, his mentor and a Hong Kong resident, in the semi-final. He showed great skill and composure. Zhao’s victory is all the more impressive as it followed a 20-month ban for involvement in a shocking match-fixing scandal in 2023, which saw 10 Chinese players punished. He played a lesser role, admitted his guilt and apologised, and is now widely seen as rehabilitated.
When Zhao returned in September, it was as an amateur, and he had to qualify for the world championship, winning a record nine matches in all. The triumph should be a launch pad for Chinese snooker, 20 years after Ding Junhui fuelled national interest in the sport by winning his first UK Championship. An estimated 150 million fans on the mainland watched Sunday’s final.
Zhao is tipped to excel for years to come. But he is not the only Chinese player in contention. There were 10 from China among the 32 in the main draw, with more young stars in the pipeline.
China is threatening to break Britain’s long-standing dominance of snooker. But the success of Chinese players is warmly welcomed within the sport, which aims to grow by broadening its global appeal.
In future, we can expect to see more elite tournaments held outside Britain, including on the mainland and in Hong Kong.