Zhao Xintong will panic snooker rivals with four-word remark as he becomes world champion
Zhao Xintong secured his first World Snooker Championship title with an 18-12 win over Mark Williams on Monday evening, and the Chinese superstar is clearly ready for more success
Zhao Xintong put the snooker world on notice on Monday night as he clinched his first World Championship by defeating Mark Williams. Chinese sensation Zhao toppled yet another legend from the revered 'Class of 92'.
He delivered an electrifying 18-12 triumph at the Crucible. The remarkable win add to his triumphs in both the UK Championship and German Masters.
Despite the gruelling nature of winning a whopping 111 frames across nine matches over a relentless span of 29 days, the 28-year-old said he was enthusiastic to continue. Speaking with Hazel Irvine post-victory in Sheffield, Zhao elicited chuckles from the Crucible audience when he said: "No, I'm not tired."
When asked about his victory celebration plans, he added: "Maybe have a good drink tonight, and I need to say thank you to everybody for coming here. Nice crowd, and thank you, everybody."
Zhao's journey to the pinnacle of the World Snooker Championship has been nothing less than remarkable. He conquered Cheung Ka Wai, Zehuang Long, Lyu Haotian, and Elliot Slessor in the qualifying rounds before routing Welshman Jak Jones 10-4 in the tournament opener.
This was followed by a nail-biting 13-10 victory over Lei Peifan and then an impressive 13-5 dismantling of Chris Wakelin in the quarter-finals. His semi-final performance then saw him dash Ronnie O'Sullivan's dreams of an eighth world crown with a resounding 17-7 win.
Zhao was dominantly in command throughout the final against Williams, seizing the title with confidence, and speaking about his victory, he told the BBC: "This is like a dream. I can't believe it.
"There was big pressure and big nerves. I knew if I missed he could come back quickly. I was so nervous tonight. Mark is still a top player and put me under so much pressure. He's the best."
Besides bagging the £500,000 prize for winning the tournament, Zhao is expected to ascend to 11th in the world rankings when he returns to the primary professional tour later this year. Nonetheless, his participation in the World Championship sparked distaste amongst snooker fans globally.
It comes after his suspension from the sport in January 2023 amid match-fixing investigations. While he didn't rig any matches himself, Zhao admitted to betting on games, which led to a 20-month ban for his infringement.
Having served his suspension until September 2024, Zhao entered the Q Tour as an amateur, and as a result, his World Championship triumph establishes him as the first technical amateur to win the title. He is also the first Asian victor of the event.
Jason Ferguson, the chairman of the Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, commented last week on Zhao's climb back up the ranks, saying: "It's important to talk about and he has served his time and he has paid his fine and actually he has followed a route of trying to work his way back in.
"I think people will always refer to it but when you're young you might get pulled into things. But there is a route back and there is a route to return.
"From our point of view, he has done the right thing from day one and is welcomed back into the sport and will be a professional player again at the end of this World Championship."
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