Zhao Xintong’s Remarkable Run at the 2025 World Snooker Championship

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The 2025 World Snooker Championship, held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield from April 19 to May 5, has been a stage for historic moments, and no story shines brighter than that of Zhao Xintong. The 28-year-old Chinese snooker prodigy, nicknamed “The Cyclone,” has captivated audiences with his electrifying performance, reaching the final against three-time champion Mark Williams. Leading 11-6 after day one of the best-of-35-frame final, Zhao is on the cusp of becoming China’s first world champion, the first amateur to win at the Crucible, and only the third qualifier to claim snooker’s biggest prize since 1977. His journey, marked by a triumphant return from a 20-month ban, showcases resilience, raw talent, and a potential shift in the sport’s global landscape.

From Ban to Brilliance: Zhao’s Redemption Arc

Zhao’s path to the 2025 final is nothing short of extraordinary. In January 2023, he was one of 10 Chinese players suspended in a match-fixing scandal that rocked snooker. While Zhao did not directly throw matches, he accepted charges of being party to another player fixing two matches and betting on matches, leading to a 20-month ban until September 2024. Losing his World Snooker Tour status, Zhao returned as an amateur, dominating the Q Tour with four consecutive event wins—Manchester, Sweden, Vienna, and Mons—securing a two-year tour card for 2025–26 and a spot in the 2025 World Championship qualifying draw.

His qualifying campaign was relentless, culminating in a 10-8 victory over Elliot Slessor to reach the Crucible, making him the third amateur to compete there after James Cahill (2019) and Michael White (2022). Zhao’s 46 wins in 48 matches since his ban, including two maximum 147 breaks on the Q Tour, signaled his hunger to reclaim his place among snooker’s elite.

A Dominant Championship Run

Zhao’s 2025 Crucible journey began with a commanding 10-4 first-round win over 2024 runner-up Jak Jones, showcasing the sharpness that Neil Robertson and Jones predicted would make him a contender. He continued with a 13-5 rout of Chris Wakelin in the second round and a victory over Lei Peifan, building momentum. The semi-final against seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan was a defining moment. Zhao delivered a “scintillating” 17-7 victory, winning a session 8-0 and finishing with a session to spare, a feat not seen against O’Sullivan since John Parrott in 1994. Breaks of 62, 128, 85, 63, and 88 underlined his attacking flair, earning praise from O’Sullivan, who called him a future “megastar.”

In the final, Zhao faced Mark Williams, the oldest Crucible finalist at 50. On May 4, 2025, Zhao stormed to a 7-1 lead in the opening session, displaying ruthless potting and composure. Williams fought back, winning five of nine frames in the evening to close at 11-6, but Zhao’s clearances, including a 71-break steal in frame 16, kept him firmly in control. Commentators likened his precision to Stephen Hendry’s 1990s dominance, with X posts hailing him as “mesmerising and lethal.”

Why Zhao’s Run Matters

Zhao’s performance is a potential “changing-of-the-guard” moment for snooker. As the second Chinese player to reach the Crucible final after Ding Junhui (2016), a victory would make him the first Chinese world champion, a historic milestone for a nation that accounts for over 50% of snooker’s global TV audience. WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson predicts a “media frenzy” and “national hero” status, with up to 150 million viewers expected on China’s CCTV5.

His amateur status adds to the narrative. A win would make Zhao the first amateur champion in the Crucible era, joining qualifiers Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy, and the youngest winner since Murphy in 2005. The £500,000 prize would also elevate him to 11th in the world rankings upon his professional return.

The Cyclone’s Style and Impact

Nicknamed for his rapid, aggressive play, Zhao “glides like Fred Astaire and strikes like Mike Tyson,” per BBC commentary. His semi-final against O’Sullivan featured a 128-break and an effortless clearance, earning a standing ovation. X users like @SnookerLoopyOwl called it “phenomenal,” while @stevenhallworth predicted a “mega star” birth if Zhao wins. Ronnie O’Sullivan, Zhao’s idol, praised his talent, noting, “He’s still very big in China. If he becomes world champion, it would be amazing for snooker.”

Zhao’s journey resonates beyond the table. Moving from Xi’an to Sheffield at 19, he lives a 10-minute walk from the Crucible, embodying a literal and figurative closeness to snooker’s heart. His gratitude to O’Sullivan, whom he thanked post-semi-final for past mentorship, and his humble plan for a “big lunch” on his rest day, reflect a grounded personality amid global spotlight.