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Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
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.
The Irish Sun
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
British snooker star benefits from Zhao Xintong's controversial World Championship win after rivals blasted rules
A BRITISH snooker star has inadvertently benefited from Zhao Xintong's historic World Championship win. Dylan Emery has regained his pro tour card for the next two seasons after finishing behind Europe Rankings. 2 Zhao Xintong's World Championship win has helped out a British snooker player 2 Welsh cueist Dylan Emery has regained his tour card after finishing behind Zhao on the Q Tour Credit: Getty The 24-year-old cueist from Caerphilly has now earned back his professional stripes after being relegated from the tour in 2024. That's because Emery now takes World Champion Zhao's pro ticket from this season's Q Tour rankings. As Zhao broke into the next season's pro circuit. So his two-year ticket via the Q Tour rankings becomes vacant for Emery. READ MORE SNOOKER NEWS An official WTA statement read: "With overall Q Tour Europe winner Zhao Xintong having subsequently gone on to regain his place as a top 64 player following his historic success at the recent World Championship. "In accordance with the Q Tour entry conditions, which state that the top ranked eligible player will receive a World Snooker Tour card, Emery will therefore take the place." Following The Chinese star won the Q Tour comfortably with an event to spare and was invited to take part in the World Championships. Most read in Snooker CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS And Zhao created in history in Sheffield , becoming the The first amateur, and only the third qualifier to conquer the Crucible, Zhao won a record nine matches across en route to glory. Emotional Zhao Xintong shares touching moment with rarely-seen girlfriend after World Snooker Championship triumph Due to his winning streak coming at snooker's richest event, the prize money Zhao won had a big impact on his world ranking status. As a non-tour card holder until next season, money to break into the world's top 64. He was therefore able to keep his ranking points going into next season, instead of starting on zero. But, in going all the way at the Crucible, Zhao pocketed the first prize of £500,000, and moved up to No.11 in the world rankings. The situation is similar to that of Darts Championship as an amateur. Even though Emery can thank Zhao for taking the crown, many snooker players thought the Zhao previously admitted being party to another player fixing two matches while betting on matches himself. That saw him handed a 30-month global ban which was later reduced to 20. However, the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) chose to stick with the original 30-month ban, meaning he will not be able to return to playing in his homeland until July. And former world champ Shaun Murphy lashed out at the decision. Murphy said: "Asking the question, how can a player who is still banned by their own governing body be seen and be deemed to be in good standing? "It seemed fairly black and white to most of us that he wasn't in good standing with his national governing body. Emery enjoyed a fantastic Q Tour campaign, winning event two in Sofia, Bulgaria, reaching the final of event seven in Walsall and making two further semi-finals. World Snooker Championship 2025 THE World Snooker Championship has concluded after a thrilling final! Follow all the reaction with SunSport's live blog of the World Snooker Championship Latest News Snooker Explained FULL results for 2025 How much prize money was won? Who were the BBC snooker presenters and pundits? What is on Zhao Xintong's bow tie?
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Zhao Xintong's reception on return to China says a lot after ban in home country
Zhao Xintong received a hero's welcome upon his arrival back in China after being crowned World Snooker Champion earlier this week, despite still being banned from playing in his homeland Newly-crowned World Snooker Champion Zhao Xintong was swarmed by adoring fans after returning to his homeland China on Thursday. Just three days after his emphatic 18-12 final victory over Mark Williams in Sheffield, the 28-year-old was greeted by cheers and celebratory signs upon landing at Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Swathes of people jostled to catch a glimpse or take a photo of the champion, which speaks volumes about the true scale of the support he has back in his home country. The euphoric scenes came after Zhao made history as the first amateur to become world champion, as well as the only Asian player to have clinched a title at the Crucible Theatre. Yet, despite his new-found hero status, regulations from the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) still prevent him from playing in front of his home supporters. In January 2023, Zhao received a ban due to his role in a match-fixing scandal that included nine other Chinese players. While the investigation cleared him of fixing matches himself, he admitted to being aware of another player rigging two games and also betting on matches. He originally received a 30-month ban from the World Snooker Tour which was later reduced to 20 months. However, the CBSA, which had issued its own 30-month ban, upheld its original decision, meaning Zhao is still unable to compete in China. "The Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association has now confirmed that their sanction only applies to mainland China and that Zhao Xintong is permitted to play in events outside of China from the end of his WPBSA suspension," their statement read. From July 1, 2025, Zhao will be able to compete in tournaments on home soil. He wasn't allowed to take part in this year's World Open at the Yushan Sport Centre, which was won by John Higgins. Following his Crucible triumph, the 2021 UK Championship winner has opened up about his struggles in dealing with his exile, even though it gave him more opportunities to hone his skills at the practice table. And despite the stance of the Chinese authorities, Xintong, who lives just a 10-minute walk from the Crucible, voiced his love for his homeland when arriving at the airport. Passing through a sea of adoring fans, he announced his aim of winning a Triple Crown and declared: "I'm home," before adding: 'This will always be my home."
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Shaun Murphy reveals snooker stars wanted Zhao Xintong BANNED from World Champs and is yet to get ‘satisfactory answer'
SNOOKER stars were left baffled as to why Zhao Xintong was allowed to play at the World Championship. The Chinese star, 28, won the title for the first time at the Crucible this year, but remains banned in China. 2 Zhao Xintong won the 2025 World Snooker Championship Credit: Rex 2 Shaun Murphy revealed he and a host of other players wanted Zhao banned Credit: Getty Zhao previously admitted being party to another player fixing two matches while betting on matches himself. That saw him handed a 30-month global ban which was later reduced to 20. However, the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) chose to stick with the original 30-month ban, meaning he will not be able to return to playing in his homeland until July. And 2005 champion Shaun Murphy revealed he asked why Zhao was allowed to compete. READ MORE ON ZHAO XINTONG The 42-year-old told "Asking the question, how can a player who is still banned by their own governing body be seen and be deemed to be in good standing? "And therefore be allowed to enter WPBSA events such as Q Tour – that was a question that was asked about ten months ago, before the start of the season that's just ended. "It seemed fairly black and white to most of us that he wasn't in good standing with his national governing body. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "There are lots of other players that this has and does, and will apply to. You can't just go around joining federations and tournaments as you see fit. "You have to be in good standing. The question we all asked was, how can a player who is still banned be deemed to be in good standing? Zhao Xintong's classy act towards Ronnie O'Sullivan revealed after knocking legend out of World Snooker Championship "I'm yet to hear a satisfactory answer from anyone at WPBSA Towers or the tour, so I don't know the answer." Zhao's ban meant that he was forced to qualify for World Snooker via the amateur Q Tour and compete as an amateur at the Crucible. But he showed that he was far from an ordinary 'amateur' with his demolition of He then went on to
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Zhao Xintong lets slip what he'll blow World Snooker Championship winnings on
Zhao Xintong revealed the one thing he could splash out on after earning £500,000 in prize money from his maiden World Snooker Championship win, going against his manager's wishes Zhao Xintong says he could splurge his eye-watering World Snooker Championship winnings on luxury watches. The Chinese snooker star's revelation came despite his manager warned him not to enjoy spending too much. Zhao made history on Monday by becoming the first player from Asia and China to win a final at the iconic Crucible Theatre. The 28-year-old sealed his triumph over three-time champion Mark Williams with an 18-12 scoreline in Sheffield, having thrashed seven-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-finals. An estimated 150million viewers in China tuned in to witness Zhao's moment of glory, which saw him walk away with a hefty £500,000 in prize money. Amidst the flurry of media requests and non-stop messages on his phone, the Cyclone admitted he hadn't thought much on how to spend his earnings. He did, however, reveal his passion for luxury watches, saying: "I do like watches, different brands, too." Despite racking up career earnings of £1,306,712, Zhao's manager, Victoria Shi, is keen to keep the world champion's feet on the ground. "Let him enjoy [the prize money]," she said. "But if he enjoys it too much, I will tell him off. He is the first Asian world champion and that is huge. But it is my job to make sure he stays grounded." Still coming to terms with his incredible feat, Zhao revealed on Tuesday that the reality of his success was gradually sinking in. "I've had lots of media attention, and lots of celebrities have congratulated me," he said. Double Olympic table tennis champion Wang Chuqin and two-time Asian Games badminton gold medallist Li Shifeng were among the first to congratulate Zhao. He added: "I haven't had a chance to understand it all yet. I feel that everything right now is crazy… it's already a totally unimaginable feeling." Zhao had to go through four gruelling qualifying rounds before reaching the final. He only returned to the tour in September, having been banned from the sport for 20 months – reduced from 30 – for his role in a match-fixing scandal. He pleaded guilty to betting on matches and being aware that another player was throwing games for money, although he did not bet on them or throw them himself. Zhao had to work his way back through the Q Tour, and he officially entered this year's World Snooker Championship as an amateur. His manager, Shi, believes that these hardships have only toughened the rising star. She said: "I told him, you didn't kill anyone, you didn't lose your arms and legs. "You made the biggest mistake of your life, now learn from it and you will become a stronger person. I think he is stronger because of it." Despite the lifting of his worldwide ban last September, Zhao is still unable to compete in China due to the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association upholding the 30-month suspension. "I did something wrong and I learned from it, but I have never lost faith in myself. I kept practising as usual and I followed the pro tour closely," Zhao said. "I'm really happy that I got the chance to come back, I really cherish the opportunity I've been given, and I will definitely do better than before."
