Overview

• Zhao Xintong defeated Mark Williams 18-12 to become the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship, earning £500,000 in prize money.
• His victory follows a 20-month suspension for involvement in a match-fixing scandal, highlighting themes of redemption and controversy in his career.
• The World Snooker Tour’s decision to convert Zhao’s prize money into ranking points despite his amateur status has sparked criticism for contradicting contractual terms.
• Zhao remains barred from domestic competition in China until July due to the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association’s extended suspension.
• Experts predict Zhao’s win will accelerate snooker’s growth in China, with its burgeoning infrastructure and audience positioning the country as a potential future powerhouse in the sport.