Zhao Xintong became the first Chinese player to win the world snooker championship while the qualifier finished his superb march in the title with an 18-12 victory against Mark Williams in the final on Monday. Zhao entered the story at the crucible theater of Sheffield by taking the seven images he needed to win the trophy after taking an advance of 11-6 dominant during Sunday sessions. The 28 -year -old was only the second finalist of the Chinese world championship, imitating the Ding Junhui race in the 2016 centerpiece.
But while Ding was beaten by Mark Selby in recent years nine years ago, Zhao has produced a nervous display to defeat the triple Williams champion.
He banned 500,000 GB (663,000 USD) in prices, winning immortality as the first winner of the world championship in Asia.
“I can’t believe what I did. It’s very exciting,” said Zhao.
“I was so nervous tonight. Mark is still a high -level player and put me under pressure. He’s the best.”
Zhao, who won the 2021 British championship, is one of the most unexpected world champions in sport.
He has been playing as an amateur since September as he continues his return after a 20 -month ban for participation in a Paris scandal in 2023.
Zhao accepted the accusations of being a party to another player setting two games and betting on matches himself in a controversy that led 10 Chinese players punished, with life prohibitions for Liang Wenbo and Li Hang.
Zhao’s applied amateur status meant that he had to fight four qualification rounds just to reach the main draw of the world championship at the crucible, which is at the distance of his sheffield at home.
Due to his return to the main professional tour next season, Zhao is only the third player according to Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy to win the title as a qualifier in the 48 -year -old crucible era.
“It was a brilliant tournament for me. But what a Zhao Potter is. I’m glad I’m too old when he dominates the game,” said Williams.
“I only have admiration for what he did, coming from qualifying. He has not played for two years, has struck everyone. There is a new superstar of the game.”
Although Zhao’s story is surprising, the Asian snooker has been increasing for several years.
Sport is extremely popular in China, with a national snooler academy in Beijing, leading to the best young players in the country.
Millions of Chinese fans had to connect to the final to attend the coronation of Zhao.
Only 12 months ago, Zhao was sitting at home watching the world championship in the middle of his ban.
But its route to redemption accelerated the speed with a fellow screen to rid the seven times world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan 17-7 in the semi-finals last week.
– “cyclone” in full strength –
The Chinese feeling has produced an equally brilliant performance to ship Williams, 50, who tends to become the oldest world snooker champion.
Zhao, nicknamed “the cyclone”, exploded in force when he won four of the first five executives to move 15-7 in advance during the session on Monday afternoon.
With the title at hand, Zhao was forced to wait a few more hours while Williams took the final at the evening session.
When the action resumed, the Welshman showed his courage, winning the opening frame with a break of 101.
Williams took the second comfortably, did three in a row with another break from the century and capitalized on a fortuitous red to win the fourth.
Zhao could have collapsed when the pressure rose, but after Williams missed an easy red, the Chinese star granted his luck.
His Ice-Cool 87 break sealed the title and he held a flag in China at altitude to recognize the acclamation of the crowd.
China has now reigned male and female champions after Bai Yulu won the 2024 World Women’s Championship.
Zhao admitted to having mixed feelings after defeating his “idol” O’Sullivan in the semi-finals.
But he had no such scruples to finish Williams.
Compared to the snooker icon Jimmy White for his catchy style of play, Zhao did something that his left -handed colleague has never done by winning the world title.
The modest Zhao had celebrated the victory over O’Sullivan with a “great lunch”.
Being crowned world champion for the first time called for a much more extravagant party.
“I’m not tired. Maybe I’ll have a good drink tonight,” he said.
(This story has not been published by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a unionized flow.)
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