Zhao Xintong told Ronnie O'Sullivan and Co are nothing like him by flabbergasted snooker star
Zhao Xintong told Ronnie O'Sullivan and Co are nothing like him by flabbergasted snooker star
Zhao Xintong has been showered with praise after becoming snooker's first Asian world champion, with one of his opponents in Sheffield among those to laud his abilities
Zhao Xintong has been told exactly where he reigns supreme among snooker's elite
(Image: Getty Images )
Zhao Xintong has been picked out for special praise by Elliot Slessor, who has outlined exactly where the new snooker world champion stands clear of the competition. And Slessor, 30, has earned the right to comment after he posed the greatest challenge to Zhao during the 2025 World Snooker Championship.
Zhao, 28, made history as the first Asian person to be crowned world champion at the Crucible. That's after he impressively outplayed his mentor and snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan with a 17-7 victory in the semi-finals.
He followed up with an equally commanding 18-12 win against Mark Williams to claim the title. However, it was during the final qualifier at the English Institute of Sport, referred to as Judgement Day, that Slessor pushed the new world champion close in a 10-8 defeat.
Having offered Zhao what may have been his sternest test of the competition, Slessor took to social media to express his admiration of the player. And it's the Chinese ace's cutthroat nature in putting away chances that gives Zhao a distinct edge over his peers.
"I said it then and will say it again," wrote Slessor on X. "I've played them all [and] nobody pots balls like this kid.
"The consistency in the long game and to make tough shots look easy is staggering. Congratulations to Xintong and Victoria's Snooker Academy. Incredible stuff."
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Neither Ronnie O'Sullivan nor Judd Trump can stack up against the new world champion, according to Slessor
(Image: VCG, VCG via Getty Images )
That vicious mentality was on full display against Gwent's own Williams in the Crucible decider. The Welsh Potting Machine was guilty of leaving glaring opportunities unpotted from a multitude of positions, but Zhao proved far more clinical, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Although Judd Trump entered the tournament as the bookies' choice to take home the trophy, his campaign ended in the semis thanks to Williams. That's despite Trump setting a new record for centuries in a season and demonstrating conquering form in the earlier phases of the tournament.
Slessor did not manage to secure a spot in the main draw but faced formidable opponents nonetheless. Speaking about his match with Zhao, he was candid about his disappointment yet continued to heap admiration on the victorious challenger.
"I wanted to win," he replied to one fan, accompanied by a crying-with-laughter emoji. "But the boy is very special every credit to him congratulations."
Slessor pushed Zhao close in qualifying for the 2025 World Snooker Championship
(Image: Getty )
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Zhao entered the competition as an amateur due to his 20-month ban for betting-related activities. He had been sanctioned following an extensive WPBSA probe into corruption that led to the suspension or banning of 10 Chinese players in total.
Specifically, Zhao was implicated for "being party to another player fixing two matches" and placing bets on games himself. However, his 20-month suspension was the most lenient handed out by the sport's authorities, reports the Daily Express.
After his return to the sport, many aficionados are enthusiastic about witnessing one of snooker's most promising talents compete again following his punishment. Six-time world champion Steve Davis labelled Zhao's infraction "a stain on his CV" but affirmed the snooker star "deserves a second chance."
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