Zhao Xintong shows true colours as he shares ambition once snooker ban ends
Zhao Xintong became the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship earlier this month, but is still unable to compete in his homeland of China
Newly crowned world snooker champion Zhao Xintong is currently unable to realise his dream of winning a tournament in China due to an ongoing ban. The 28-year-old made history earlier this month by becoming the first Asian player to clinch the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible, but he remains barred from competing in his home country.
The world championship was only Zhao's second professional tournament since returning from a suspension linked to a match-fixing investigation involving 10 players, which dates back to January 2023. His initial 30-month ban was reduced to 20 months by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) after it was established that, while he had knowingly placed bets on fixed games, he hadn't personally rigged any matches.
Despite being cleared to compete globally, the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) has upheld the original ban, meaning Zhao is still not permitted to compete in China until 1 July 2025. Since his triumphant win at the World Snooker Championship, Zhao has spent time in his homeland and expressed his determination to build on his success next season, reports the Express.
As a former UK Open winner, Zhao is just a Masters win away from securing the coveted Triple Crown, and he's also eager to lift a trophy on Chinese soil. On his ambitions, he told the South China Morning Post: "No Chinese or Asian player has been able to embroider that little crown on their waistcoat so far.
"So I think this is one of my goals. I will do my best to play well in every match and tournament, but I want to hoist a trophy in China – this is something I have yet to do.
"I am also looking forward to playing in the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong next year. I want to achieve good results here, preferably winning it, and I'd be very happy."
Zhao won't have to wait long to chase his dreams, as his suspension lifts with the new season's dawn, possibly making the Shanghai Masters (July 28-August 3) his ticket to triumph. Since settling in England back in 2016 and embracing Sheffield's impact on his career, 'The Cyclone' muses over his World Championship victory's ripple effect, lifting the aspirations of China's budding snooker talents.
He said: "I haven't quite thought about what's different for me as a player after winning the World Championship. Everything is just starting and I am convinced that there is more to come, and I have to do more and bring glory to China.
"The win was also a breakthrough for snooker in China – because this had not been done before by any Chinese player, I think the younger generation will now be more confident and motivated."
Just a few weeks following the Shanghai Masters, snooker fans can look forward to more action from China with the Wuhan Open set for August 24-30. Zhao also expressed his anticipation for next year's World Grand Prix, scheduled to take place in Hong Kong from February 3-8.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
I was looking at Eric Bristow's flat when he died and his demise hit me hard, says ex-BBC darts host Bobby George
BOBBY GEORGE says the sudden death of long-time drinking and darts pal Eric Bristow seven years ago 'hit me hard'. And his new book details the duo's many escapades. 4 4 4 They first met in the 1970s and became oche rivals — they contested the 1980 World Darts Championship final — but also 'very good friends'. According to George, the five-time world champion would be 'good as gold until about 10 or 10.30pm — then he'd become a complete a***hole once he had drunk too much'. The King of Bling, claimed Hackney-born Bristow would be 'rude, arrogant, leery and happy to pick a fight with anyone . . . I didn't like him when he was like that, no one did'. Yet the Crafty Cockney never wavered in his strong loyalty towards George, 11 years the senior man, whom he called Bo. Bristow — one of the sport's greatest throwers — died on April 5, 2018 from a heart attack before a Premier League event in Liverpool. He was 60. Writing in Still Here! The King of Bling, George, 79, said: 'Eric Bristow's death hit me hard. 'He was only 60 for f***'s sake. That's no age these days, is it? I had known him since he was a teenager — and he never changed. 'He could be a pain in the a*** and we had some right ding-dongs over the years. List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler 'But for most of the time, he was my mate and we had some great times together.' On the night Bristow died, George was on Merseyside, working at Shooters Bar and Diner. The pair had 'a little catch-up and I got him a Guinness'. That night, George stayed in a Stoke pub run by Barry Birch, Bristow's former driver. And he was even looking at 'Eric's flat' less than 200 yards away when he learned the tragic news. George said: 'I couldn't believe the suddenness of his passing. 'Nor could I take in the fact that I could see his flat — the same flat he'd have left just a few hours earlier — as I was trying to take in the tragic news. 'What were the odds of it? Me being with him, saying goodbye, going to Stoke and looking out of a window at his flat whilst stood alongside his former driver? 'We both needed a stiff drink that night. They reckon Eric's heart must have stopped before he hit the ground as there was no blood. 'In his diary, apparently, he'd written he had got bad chest pains. "Bloody hell, if that was the case, why didn't he go to the doctors or hospital and get it sorted? 'Knowing Eric, he probably thought, 'I'll put loads of Guinness down my neck, that'll get rid of the pain'. 'Anyone who knew him was aware that he didn't exactly lead a healthy lifestyle. I had known him since he was a teenager — and he never changed." Bobby George on Eric Bristow 'For as long as I'd known him, he was a heavy smoker, always rolling his own. 'And he would think nothing of getting through 15 or 16 pints of Guinness in a day, rounding it all off with a curry. Nobody's body can handle that day in, day out. 'Always on the go, working and travelling, meant he was always pushing it. "Although it wasn't work to him, just a chance to get on the p*** every day. 'I like a drink and a smoke but there are extremes and Eric pushed them to the limit. 'I'd say, 'You smoke and you drink too much'. He said, 'I know all about that, Bob. But put it this way, no one is going to be pushing me around in a wheelchair. When I go, I'll go like that. Bang'. And he f***ing did as well, bang.' George first encountered the 'mouthy so-and-so' while playing in a BDO event at Margate in Kent. 4 He said: 'After that we became good mates and he would do anything for me, anything.' As they toured the country, they 'would share prize money', but there were times when George thought 'we're going to get our heads kicked in' due to Bristow's OTT antics. On a US tour in 1978, the first time George went on a plane, Bristow enraged locals by pretending 'to wipe his a***' with the American Stars and Stripes flag 'before chucking it on the floor'. George said: 'The atmosphere had turned really toxic and I was worried that someone was going to do something really stupid, like pull a gun out on him. ''Watch yourself, Eric,' I whispered in his ear. 'These guys aren't messing about and they have guns over here!' 'I'd like to say that was an isolated incident but it wasn't. 'That's how he was, always getting into trouble. But somehow always managing to get himself out of it.'
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘I need to get myself well again' – Fallon Sherrock announces YEAR-long break from darts after battling health issues
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DARTS star Fallon Sherrock has revealed that she will take a break from the sport next year. The 30-year-old made history at the World Darts Championship in 2019 by becoming the first woman to beat a man in the competition. 2 Fallon Sherrock has announced her intention to take a break from darts next year Credit: Getty 2 The 30-year-old hopes to qualify for the World Championship this winter before focusing on her health in 2026 Credit: Reuters After defeating Ted Evetts 3-2 in the opening round, she went on to earn a 3-1 win against Mensur Suljovic in the second before eventually losing to Chris Dobey. Her incredible run saw her earn the nickname 'Queen of the Palace'. However, the Coronavirus pandemic stunted her momentum and Sherrock has since struggled to match the form she found over five years ago. In recent months, health issues have also hampered her progress. READ MORE ON DARTS ALL GONE WRONG Darts host apologises as Aspinall covers face in horror during interview The darts star now plans to take an extended break from the sport next year. But she still hopes to qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts and the World Championship this winter. Sherrock told Online Darts: "All I want to do is practice at home for a couple of hours a day, and I can't do that at the moment. "I've had to pull out of some exhibitions recently as well, because I haven't had the stamina. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I really wanted to play in the Women's Week at Modus, but I wasn't able to do the whole week of that. "So I've had to narrow down what I'm playing in now, and that hurts because I love darts. Darts star Fallon Sherrock's boyfriend fumes and leaves stage covering his face after 'hugely frustrating' defeat "Fingers crossed though, that in a couple of years time I'll be alright and I'll be back to winning really well. "My main objective this year is obviously the Worlds. But I want to try and get to the Grand Slam this year, because I feel like if I am going to have a year out next year, I want to make a bang. "I'm going to try and get to everything, then even if I'm not playing to my 100%, at least I can say that I made it." She continued: "I just need to sort myself out. I need to get myself well again and then once I do, the sky is the limit because I know I can do it and I know how many hours I've got to put in, what standard I've got to play. So I can do it, I just need the energy for it first." Sherrock opened up about her health struggles prior to her World Championship first-round defeat to Ryan Meikle in December. She said: "This year I feel like there is hardly any pressure on me at all. There are other players in the field who have got the media attention and stuff, so I can go under the radar. I have been poorly. "I haven't publicised it as such. Only a few people close to me actually know about it, but I am on the mend now and hopefully getting my confidence back." Sherrock is currently dating fellow darts star Cameron Menzies, who is ranked No36 in the world.
The Herald Scotland
15 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Ex-Celtic captain on why Parkhead fans won't allow an American buyout
The Scot saw at close quarters how the group - which was fronted by former Syrian internationalist Yahya Kirdi, who is now the owner of Laval United in Dubai - moved to within 'a week' of striking a deal with American co-owners Thomas Hicks and George Gillett. A purchase price, the repayment of outstanding bank debt to RBS and Wells Fargo and the financing of a new stadium on a site at Stanley Park were all agreed upon following negotiations between the two parties. Proof of funds was also provided to chairman Martin Broughton. However, one of the four Asian investors who were committed to the project pulled out at the eleventh hour and the agreement to buy Liverpool, who were experiencing serious financial difficulties at the time and were on the brink of bankruptcy, fell through. Lynch was disappointed at the outcome. Read more: 'I got to know one of the potential investors when I was over in America,' he said. 'I played and coached out there for some time and was introduced to him through a mutual acquaintance. I first met him when I was based in Montreal and was playing and coaching in the North American Soccer League. 'He got back in touch when the consortium he was involved with was looking at taking over Liverpool. He flew over to meet me. They were discussing the figures which would be required to buy the club. It was definitely a serious enterprise. 'The discussions went on for several weeks and it did get very close. It fell down at the last minute because the sheikh who was involved was unhappy about one aspect of the deal. But, as I say, it was very close to happening. They had agreed on the fee with Liverpool. It was an incredible thing to be involved in it.' Lynch continued, 'I was an adviser on the football side. It was just as well I was there to be honest because they didn't have a clue about the game. They may have been billionaires and might have been very successful in their fields, but when it came to football they were clueless. I spent my time saying, 'No, you can't do this, no, you can't do that'. 'I can remember being in the boot room at Anfield when the talks were taking place and speaking to Steven Gerrard. He was interested in what we were doing there and was asking me a lot of questions about it. I told him, 'We're possibly doing a deal'. He said, 'That's great, keep me in mind'. 'It didn't come to anything, but it was definitely quite far down the line. Throughout the whole thing I was very excited by what they were proposing. It would have been unbelievable if it had happened. They wanted me to be their figurehead if it went through. It would have been brilliant to be involved in some capacity. As I say, it got very close.' Lynch has been unsurprised that so many major clubs in England and Europe have been snapped up by super-rich investors from the Middle East and the United States in the years since. (Image: SNS Group) Nor was he in the slightest bit taken aback when an American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh, a healthcare insurance billionaire, and 49ers Enterprises, the business arm of NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers, acquired a 51 per cent stake in Rangers for a cool £75m on Friday. 'The Liverpool takeover bid happened around the time that foreign investors had really started buying into big English football clubs,' he said. 'Just look at the Premier League now. So many of them are owned by overseas businessmen or investment funds. That is even true in the Championship and down the divisions down south. Now it has happened at Rangers with this takeover.' Followers of the Ibrox institution were ecstatic when that transaction was finally, after weeks of speculation, completed. They are optimistic that far better times lie ahead for them both on and off the park and are counting the days until the 2025/26 campaign gets underway. However, Lynch remains completely comfortable with how Celtic, whose major shareholder is billionaire Irish financier and lifelong fan Dermot Desmond, are structured and has no desire to see them follow suit. He expressed doubt that their supporters would accept an outsider with no previous affection for or association with their historic club taking over. Read more: 'The way that Celtic go about their business is still preferrable for me,' he said. 'They are self-sufficient, enjoy consistent success, post profits every year and have money in the bank. They aren't reliant on anyone to bankroll them. I don't think Celtic could go down the route that so many other clubs have, I don't think the fans would ever allow it. 'You never know of course. If they were to lose a few titles then anything could theoretically happen. At the end of the day, money talks. If they ever found themselves unable to compete, maybe the outlook would change. But I do think Celtic supporters would always be eager for a Celtic fan or fans to remain as the major powerbrokers.' Lynch, who scored the winner for Celtic against Rangers in the Scottish Cup final in 1977, was devastated when his old club lost to Aberdeen at Hampden in the denouement of that competition last month and failed to complete a world record ninth domestic treble. (Image: SNS Group) However, he believes the Pittodrie club prevailing is healthy for the national game. He would like to see Brendan Rodgers' men face a far sterner challenge next season than they have in the past few years and is convinced it will help them to excel in Europe if they do. 'The game in this country badly needs somebody to come forward and vie with Celtic for major honours,' he said. 'When I played, we would always get a hard game against the likes of St Mirren, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, whoever. It wasn't just Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs who were difficult to beat. It wasn't like today when Celtic go out and dominate most games. The majority of teams we faced could compete with us and we always had to play at our best. 'I am a Celtic man and I always want them to win. But for me it has become a little bit too easy in recent years. I think having a greater challenge will be good for them and will ultimately help them when they play in Europe. For me, they should always be looking to compete at the highest level, in the very top bracket, on the continent. 'Rangers really need to get their act together. They are in the throes of bringing in another new manager and they have to get their next appointment right. Other clubs need to improve.'
