In a thrilling showdown at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, China's snooker prodigy Zhao Xintong etched his name in sports history by defeating Welsh legend Mark Williams 18-12 to claim the World Snooker Championship title 🌍✨. The 25-year-old became the first player from the Chinese mainland—and all of Asia—to win the prestigious tournament, smashing barriers and inspiring a new generation of cue-sport enthusiasts.
After dominating the third session with a commanding 17-8 lead, Zhao faced a late surge from three-time champion Williams 🚀. The 50-year-old veteran clawed back four consecutive frames, showcasing why he's nicknamed 'the Welsh Potting Machine.' But Zhao ultimately sealed victory with an 87-point break in the decisive 30th frame, ending his opponent's comeback hopes.
'It feels like a dream,' an emotional Zhao told reporters post-match. 'I've worked my whole life for this moment—to represent China and show the world our talent 🎱.' Williams praised the rising star: 'He’s bashed everyone up this tournament. A new superstar is born!'
Zhao’s triumph—marked by two century breaks and 11 half-century scores—propels him into snooker’s global spotlight 💫. Fans across Asia are already calling Monday’s finale a watershed moment for the sport’s growing popularity in the region.
