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Wales Online
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
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." Article continues below 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 ) Article continues below 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."
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Zhao Xintong beats Mark Williams to win historic World Snooker Championship title
Zhao Xintong has become the first Chinese World Snooker Champion in history after beating Mark Williams 18-12 at the Crucible. The 28-year-old capped an imperious month of snooker in Sheffield. Owing to his suspension as part of snooker's match-fixing scandal, Xintong was forced to come through qualifying as an amateur to seal his place at the Crucible. He won four matches at the English Institute of Sport before producing consistently excellent snooker at the sport's Mecca to seal a maiden world crown. He saw off 2024 finalist Jak Jones before beating countryman Lei Peifan. Chris Wakelin was brushed aside in the last eight, but Xintong came of age in the semi-finals as he battered idol Ronnie O'Sullivan into submission with a session to spare. Xintong raced into a 7-1 lead after the opening session of the final, and a 6-2 split in this afternoon's session meant he needed just one frame this evening to win the title, becoming only the third qualifier in history to do so. During the break in between sessions, Williams admitted he was struggling to keep up with his opponent. He posted on social media: 'That was tough – I've not got enough cue power to combat tough conditions like Zhao,' Williams posted on social media during the break. 'His cue power is superb. Prob the best potter I've ever seen." But that clearly wasn't an acceptance of defeat as the veteran launched a stirring comeback to win all four frames before the first interval, making the score 17-12. However, ideas of an historic fightback were ended in the 30th frame as Xintong put together a stunning break of 87 that secured his place in Crucible history. He burst on to the scene in 2021 when he beat Luca Brecel in the UK Championship final - his first Triple Crown title. Xintong was tipped from that moment on to become the first Chinese world champion with mentor Ding Junhui having carried the hopes of a nation for a generation. But in January 2023, he was implicated in a match-fixing scandal and was banned from competition until September 2024. Though he was exonerated of fixing matches himself, he was found guilty of assisting others and placing bets on games. Xintong won four straight events and 32 successive matches on the amateur Q Tour in a bid to regain his professional status and became the first player to hit a maximum break on the tour. He won four qualifying matches to return to the UK Championship, but lost 6-5 to Shaun Murphy at the main stage of the competition. His performances guaranteed he would return to the professional ranks for the 2025-26 season and secured his place at qualifying for this year's World Championship. Xintong will start next season ranked as the World No.11 and needs just the Masters title to complete snooker's Triple Crown. And O'Sullivan is backing the new world champion to become a 'megastar' in the sport. "I think it would be amazing. I think if he did win he would be a megastar," the Rocket said after losing the semi final. "He's still very big in China as it is. But if he becomes world champion it would just be amazing for snooker and for his life as well. "He can definitely get over the line. I think he'll have more of a test (in the final). That will be a proper test for him. He played great. You have to give credit where it's due. We've got a really nice relationship. I'm always trying to help him if I can."
Metro
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Zhao Xintong 'stronger' since snooker ban but surprised to reach Crucible semi
Zhao Xintong believes he is a better player now than he was before his ban from snooker, but is still surprised to be in a World Snooker Championship semi-final. The 28-year-old is into the final four at the Crucible after a 13-5 win over Chris Wakelin in the quarters, which followed victories over Jak Jones and Lei Peifan in the opening two rounds. Zhao had to win four qualifying matches just to reach the Crucible, beating Cheung Ka Wai, Long Zehuang, Lyu Haotian and Elliot Slessor at the English Institute of Sport. This all comes after Zhao returned from a 20-month ban from the sport for 'being concerned in fixing matches' and betting on snooker. The Chinese star romped through the amateur game after his return in September, quickly winning his place back on the professional tour and returning to the Crucible at the earliest opportunity. He was ranked number nine in the world when he was suspended from snooker and a former winner of the UK Championship and German Masters. There was little doubt that he would return to professional snooker, but it is a remarkable burst to the World Championship semi-final, having only ever won one game at the Crucible in the past. 'I trusted that I can come back, but this time I'm really happy because I've come back to the semi-final so quickly,' he said after beating Wakelin. 'I think it's a surprise for me. I'm not really ready, I had one year not playing competition.' Asked if he is now a better player than before his ban, he said: 'I think I'm stronger than before because it's two years later, I think I'm stronger. 'Seriously I'm surprised because long time not playing, I played the qualifiers at the UK Championship and World Championship. That was big pressure for the first match because I know I need to win and be stronger. It's very different, so not like before. But I won again, I feel well now. 'This tournament and this month made me stronger. I had a few months not playing competition, so I'm really happy to come back to tournaments. I've played really well till now. It can make me stronger and get more experience.' Zhao did admit to be feeling the strain of so much snooker over the last month, winning seven lengthy matches to reach the semis. 'I played like 22 days till now, played the qualifiers, four matches and now three more, best of 19 and more,' he said. 'I feel a little bit mentally tired. More Trending 'But I know it's [an] interesting thing at the Crucible and I think it will make me stronger.' Zhao will take on either Ronnie O'Sullivan or Si Jiahui in the semi-final, which will start on Thursday afternoon. He has described the Rocket as his 'idol' and has even worked with the seven-time world champion on the table, with O'Sullivan fulfilling something of a mentor role for him in the past. Si and Zhao have been practice partners at the same academy in Sheffield so will know each other well if that is the contest to come at the Crucible.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Page makes first 147 in World Championship qualifier
Welshman Jackson Page made the first maximum 147 break of his career in the qualifying tournament for the World Snooker Championship. Page made three half-century clearances as well as a 109 break as he opened up a commanding 6-1 lead over England's Allan Taylor in the third round of qualifying. Advertisement The 23-year-old put himself in line for the £10,000 bonus for a maximum during qualifying - as well as the £15,000 high break prize for the event - with his 147 in the eighth frame. Page then made a break of 94 to win the next frame, leaving him 8-1 ahead and just two away from victory, with the best-of-19 match set to be concluded on Monday. The qualifying rounds at Sheffield's English Institute of Sport run until 16 April, with the World Championship due to begin at the city's Crucible Theatre three days later. Page has qualified for snooker's blue-riband event twice before. In 2022 he was beaten in the second round by fellow Welshman Mark WIlliams, while in 2024 he suffered a 10-1 first round defeat against Ronnie O'Sullivan.
The Irish Sun
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
World Snooker Championship star, 36, breaks down in tears after revealing he's quit booze following ‘bad experiences'
DANIEL WELLS broke down in tears as he revealed he has quit alcohol following 'a couple of bad experiences'. The Welsh cueist won three rounds of qualifying at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield last week to qualify for the Crucible for the first time – and at the 16th time of asking. Advertisement 1 Daniel Wells has quit booze and is reaping the benefits Credit: Getty It has been an emotional journey for the Glamorgan ace, 36, who has cut out the booze over Christmas and throughout 2025. Beer was his crutch during the dark days as he struggled to cope with top-level baize action. It was only the intervention of his sponsors South Manchester Resurfacing, who suggested he should seek help, that he was able to knuckle down and go teetotal. Wells said: 'I have quit alcohol. Seven months now without a drink. Advertisement READ MORE IN SNOOKER 'It was just my lifestyle. Probably drinking too much, dealing with the pressure of snooker. 'I turned to it. For the day-to-day pressures of practice. Like a coping mechanism. 'But it's not the best way to cope with it. I'm really proud of myself. I feel better. 'There were a couple of bad experiences. I was drinking when I shouldn't have been. Advertisement Most read in Snooker World Snooker Championship 2025 WE are BACK at the Crucible for another thrilling fortnight of snooker action! There will be a new champion this year after reigning champ Kyren Wilson crashed out in the first round after a stunning performance from Lei Peifan. Ronnie O'Sullivan will take to the snooker table after missing recent tournaments, while world no 1 Judd Trump heads into the tournament as the favourite. The likes of Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby and John Higgins are also expected to be contenders. You can follow every frame of the tournament LIVE - plus the latest news, interviews and reaction - as it happens with our dedicated BLOG. Latest News John Higgins breaks down in tears after epic win Snooker Explained FULL schedule and results for 2025 How much prize money can be won? When did O'Sullivan last win a title? Who are the BBC snooker presenters and pundits? 'Turning up to some tournaments, having a few drinks the night before to try and deal with the pressure. But it became a bad habit. 'Drinking when I didn't want to be drinking really. A sponsor came on board and put me in touch with a therapist. BBC commentator questions snooker star's 'emotional' outburst at World Championship 'That has been massive as well, dealing with my own personality and stuff, dealing with the pressures of the game. 'I can only take it day-by-day. I think a lot of snooker players have addictive personalities. Advertisement 'You have got to be addictive to keep coming back, to the brain damage that is the game really. 'Any habit can form and I got myself into a bad habit. Luckily I have broken the habit. It's day-by-day.' Wells will walk into the famous arena on Wednesday morning to play Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion. His career has not followed the path he had hoped, especially since he was awarded the inaugural Paul Hunter Scholarship and was given the chance to practise at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield. Advertisement On his drinking habits, Wells continued: 'It starts out with a couple of cans, watching the football . 'A good day's practice, have a couple of cans. A bad day's practice, have a couple of cans. 'But you know, you have got a bit of an issue. It's a tough game to deal with mentally. 'I know there are a number of players who go through similar things with different addictions and it is a tough gig. It's a tough gig. We can only try our best.' Advertisement What to do if you think are an alcoholic IF you're struggling with alcohol addiction, the most important thing is to recognise the problem and seek support - You don't have to face it alone. Seek Professional Help GP or Doctor – A medical professional can assess your situation and provide advice on treatment options. Therapists or Counsellors – Talking to an addiction specialist can help address underlying causes and develop coping strategies. Rehab or Detox Programmes – If physical dependence is severe, medically supervised detox may be necessary. Consider Support Groups – A well-known 12-step programme that provides peer support. – A science-based alternative to AA, focusing on self-empowerment.
