At 28, Zhao Xintong 🇨🇳 just smashed his way into the record books, becoming the first Asian player ever to claim the World Snooker Championship! 🏆 After an epic 18-16 showdown against Welsh legend Mark Williams, Zhao’s victory marks a seismic moment for the sport in Asia – and his journey from child prodigy to comeback king is straight out of a movie script. 🎬
Starting with a cue at age 8 🎱, Zhao’s coach instantly spotted his laser-like precision 📍. By 13, he was a national youth tournament runner-up. Fast forward to 2024: after surviving twin relegations, a 20-month match-fixing suspension 😔, and a career resurrection, Zhao’s triumph at Sheffield’s Crucible Theater proves resilience beats raw talent every time. 💪
🔑 Key moments: – 2021: First UK Championship win 🏅 – 2022: German Masters victory over Yan Bingtao 🇨🇳 – 2024: Redemption arc complete with wins over Ronnie O’Sullivan ✨ and Williams
Now ranked World No. 1 🥇, Zhao told fans: "This trophy taught me snooker isn’t just about skill – it’s about heart." ❤️
