Overview

• Zhao Xintong became the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship, defeating Mark Williams 18-12 in the final.
• After a 20-month match-fixing ban, Zhao returned as an amateur, qualifying through four rounds to claim the title at the Crucible Theatre.
• WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson projects Zhao could become the richest player in snooker history, driven by China's vast market and growing interest in the sport.
• Zhao's win bolsters snooker’s aspirations for inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, with governing bodies citing China's influence as a key factor.
• Prominent players have called for reforms to the tournament format, citing Zhao’s grueling 111-frame run as evidence of the need for change.