Overview

• Zhao Xintong's 18–12 victory over Mark Williams in Sheffield makes him the first Asian to win the World Snooker Championship since its inception in 1927.
• He entered the tournament as an amateur after serving a 20-month ban for involvement in a match-fixing scandal, having requalified through four rounds of competition.
• Zhao's semifinal dominance included a decisive 17–7 win over seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, denying O’Sullivan a record eighth title.
• The win is expected to inspire a new generation of Chinese players and bolster the sport’s growth in China, where snooker has seen increasing popularity.
• While Zhao's triumph is widely celebrated, his past involvement in betting controversies has sparked ongoing debate about redemption and governance in professional snooker.