China’s Zhao Xintong secured a place in snooker history on Monday by becoming the first Chinese and Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship, defeating Wales’ Mark Williams 18-12 in the final held at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.
Zhao entered the final session with a commanding 17-8 lead, needing just one more frame to claim the title. However, Williams, a three-time world champion, fought back with determination. The 50-year-old made a century break to take the 26th frame and went on to win three more in a row, cutting the gap to 17-12 and putting pressure on his younger opponent.
Despite the brief momentum shift, Zhao kept his composure. In the 30th frame, he delivered a composed break of 87 to seal victory and lift the trophy. His performance throughout the match was impressive, featuring two century breaks — 100 and 104 — and 11 breaks over 50.
Read More: Updated PSL Point Table After Karachi Added Another Two Points
Speaking after the win, Zhao said he was overjoyed and found it hard to believe what he had achieved over the past month. He described the experience as a dream come true.
Williams, full of praise for Zhao, admitted that he was relieved he wouldn’t be around for Zhao’s potential dominance in future tournaments. He highlighted Zhao’s wins over top names, including Ronnie O’Sullivan and himself, and called him snooker’s new rising star.
Zhao’s journey to the title was even more remarkable considering his return as an amateur after a 20-month ban due to a betting case. Coming through four rounds of qualifying and defeating seven-time champion O’Sullivan in the semi-finals, Zhao’s triumph is being seen as a groundbreaking moment for snooker, especially in Asia, where his success is expected to inspire a new generation of players.