Latest news with #HaloWorldChampionship
The National
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Zhao Xintong becomes China's first world snooker champion
Resuming the final session one frame short of victory, Zhao was forced to wait for his history-making moment as the Welsh veteran reeled off four in a row to stretch the match beyond a mid-session interval. Williams, at 50 the oldest finalist in Crucible history, had his chances to further reduce the deficit before Zhao recovered his poise to rocket in match-clinching break of 87, before celebrating by raising the Chinese flag. ZHAO XINTONG IS THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD! 🏆#HaloWorldChampionship — WST (@WeAreWST) May 5, 2025 In doing so Zhao, who earns the famous trophy and a cheque for £500,000, also became the only the third qualifier and the first amateur player to triumph at the Crucible, having lost his tour card in January 2023 for his part in a match-fixing scandal. Zhao had admitted being party to an effort to fix or contrive to fix two matches involving his compatriot Yan Bingtao, the former Masters winner, and despite frequently expressing contrition for his involvement there may be some who believe his triumph is a tainted one. His win over Williams was Zhao's ninth of the tournament, a record for any champion, and his 47th in 49 matches since he embarked on his comeback with a 3-0 whitewash of Lithuanian Vilius Schulte-Ebbert in the inauspicious surroundings of a Q Tour event in Sofia in September. Zhao Xintong denied Mark Williams a fourth Crucible crown (Mike Egerton/PA) Two hundred and twenty-seven days later, Zhao went one better than Ding Junhui, who kick-started the Chinese snooker revolution when he swept to his first of three UK titles in 2005 but had never quite managed to emulate that achievement at the Crucible. Zhao has long been touted as Ding's heir apparent, with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jimmy White singling him out as a future star soon after he was handed his first tour card in 2016, and three-time winner Williams added to the praise shortly after the bruising afternoon session, describing his opponent as 'probably the best potter I've ever seen'. Williams had defied his own low expectations by forcing his way into his fifth Crucible final and eclipsing the previous record set by his fellow Welshman Ray Reardon who was 49 when he lost the 1982 final to Alex Higgins. Blighted by eye problems and booked in for lens replacement surgery this summer, Williams nevertheless dredged up every inch of his vast experience to edge past fellow veteran John Higgins in a quarter-final classic, then recovered from a 5-1 deficit to sink world number one Judd Trump in the last four. Zhao's lightning start to their seventh career meeting – Williams got the better of a first round qualifying clash in 2017 when he had temporarily slid out of the world's top 64 – effectively ended any hopes the Welshman had of clawing his way back to wrest a fourth world crown. A 7-1 deficit instead raised the prospect of Zhao, who had hammered O'Sullivan with a session to spare in the last four, repeating the feat and becoming the first man to lift the title in an afternoon since Stephen Hendry obliterated Jimmy White in 1993. Mark Williams ran out of steam in his Crucible final against Zhao Xintong (Mike Egerton/PA) Those fears were not eased after a second session that left Williams five frames adrift overnight at 11-6 and it was not until a gutsy break of 67 in the 23rd frame that the Welshman guaranteed the fans – who had forked out for tickets for the Championship's final session – would at least get to witness the historic moment. When Zhao ran aground on a break of 30 in the opener, Williams proceeded to give them more than their money's worth, earning a standing ovation at the interval after reeling off four frames in a row, including his sole century of the final, to reduce the deficit to 17-12. Williams had two chances to further reduce the deficit, before Zhao held his nerve to wrap up a victory that was watched by an estimated 150 million television audience in his homeland.
The Herald Scotland
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Zhao Xintong becomes China's first world snooker champion
Williams, at 50 the oldest finalist in Crucible history, had his chances to further reduce the deficit before Zhao recovered his poise to rocket in match-clinching break of 87, before celebrating by raising the Chinese flag. ZHAO XINTONG IS THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD! 🏆#HaloWorldChampionship — WST (@WeAreWST) May 5, 2025 In doing so Zhao, who earns the famous trophy and a cheque for £500,000, also became the only the third qualifier and the first amateur player to triumph at the Crucible, having lost his tour card in January 2023 for his part in a match-fixing scandal. Zhao had admitted being party to an effort to fix or contrive to fix two matches involving his compatriot Yan Bingtao, the former Masters winner, and despite frequently expressing contrition for his involvement there may be some who believe his triumph is a tainted one. His win over Williams was Zhao's ninth of the tournament, a record for any champion, and his 47th in 49 matches since he embarked on his comeback with a 3-0 whitewash of Lithuanian Vilius Schulte-Ebbert in the inauspicious surroundings of a Q Tour event in Sofia in September. Zhao Xintong denied Mark Williams a fourth Crucible crown (Mike Egerton/PA) Two hundred and twenty-seven days later, Zhao went one better than Ding Junhui, who kick-started the Chinese snooker revolution when he swept to his first of three UK titles in 2005 but had never quite managed to emulate that achievement at the Crucible. Zhao has long been touted as Ding's heir apparent, with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jimmy White singling him out as a future star soon after he was handed his first tour card in 2016, and three-time winner Williams added to the praise shortly after the bruising afternoon session, describing his opponent as 'probably the best potter I've ever seen'. Williams had defied his own low expectations by forcing his way into his fifth Crucible final and eclipsing the previous record set by his fellow Welshman Ray Reardon who was 49 when he lost the 1982 final to Alex Higgins. Blighted by eye problems and booked in for lens replacement surgery this summer, Williams nevertheless dredged up every inch of his vast experience to edge past fellow veteran John Higgins in a quarter-final classic, then recovered from a 5-1 deficit to sink world number one Judd Trump in the last four. Zhao's lightning start to their seventh career meeting – Williams got the better of a first round qualifying clash in 2017 when he had temporarily slid out of the world's top 64 – effectively ended any hopes the Welshman had of clawing his way back to wrest a fourth world crown. A 7-1 deficit instead raised the prospect of Zhao, who had hammered O'Sullivan with a session to spare in the last four, repeating the feat and becoming the first man to lift the title in an afternoon since Stephen Hendry obliterated Jimmy White in 1993. Mark Williams ran out of steam in his Crucible final against Zhao Xintong (Mike Egerton/PA) Those fears were not eased after a second session that left Williams five frames adrift overnight at 11-6 and it was not until a gutsy break of 67 in the 23rd frame that the Welshman guaranteed the fans – who had forked out for tickets for the Championship's final session – would at least get to witness the historic moment. When Zhao ran aground on a break of 30 in the opener, Williams proceeded to give them more than their money's worth, earning a standing ovation at the interval after reeling off four frames in a row, including his sole century of the final, to reduce the deficit to 17-12. Williams had two chances to further reduce the deficit, before Zhao held his nerve to wrap up a victory that was watched by an estimated 150 million television audience in his homeland.
Rhyl Journal
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Zhao Xintong withstands fightback to become China's first world snooker champion
Resuming the final session one frame short of victory, Zhao was forced to wait for his history-making moment as the Welsh veteran reeled off four in a row to stretch the match beyond a mid-session interval. Williams, at 50 the oldest finalist in Crucible history, had his chances to further reduce the deficit before Zhao recovered his poise to rocket in match-clinching break of 87, before celebrating by raising the Chinese flag. ZHAO XINTONG IS THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD! 🏆#HaloWorldChampionship — WST (@WeAreWST) May 5, 2025 In doing so Zhao, who earns the famous trophy and a cheque for £500,000, also became the only the third qualifier and the first amateur player to triumph at the Crucible, having lost his tour card in January 2023 for his part in a match-fixing scandal. Zhao had admitted being party to an effort to fix or contrive to fix two matches involving his compatriot Yan Bingtao, the former Masters winner, and despite frequently expressing contrition for his involvement there may be some who believe his triumph is a tainted one. His win over Williams was Zhao's ninth of the tournament, a record for any champion, and his 47th in 49 matches since he embarked on his comeback with a 3-0 whitewash of Lithuanian Vilius Schulte-Ebbert in the inauspicious surroundings of a Q Tour event in Sofia in September. Two hundred and twenty-seven days later, Zhao went one better than Ding Junhui, who kick-started the Chinese snooker revolution when he swept to his first of three UK titles in 2005 but had never quite managed to emulate that achievement at the Crucible. Zhao has long been touted as Ding's heir apparent, with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jimmy White singling him out as a future star soon after he was handed his first tour card in 2016, and three-time winner Williams added to the praise shortly after the bruising afternoon session, describing his opponent as 'probably the best potter I've ever seen'. Williams had defied his own low expectations by forcing his way into his fifth Crucible final and eclipsing the previous record set by his fellow Welshman Ray Reardon who was 49 when he lost the 1982 final to Alex Higgins. China's first World Champion 🏆 🇨🇳#MagicMoments | @midnite — WST (@WeAreWST) May 5, 2025 Blighted by eye problems and booked in for lens replacement surgery this summer, Williams nevertheless dredged up every inch of his vast experience to edge past fellow veteran John Higgins in a quarter-final classic, then recovered from a 5-1 deficit to sink world number one Judd Trump in the last four. Zhao's lightning start to their seventh career meeting – Williams got the better of a first round qualifying clash in 2017 when he had temporarily slid out of the world's top 64 – effectively ended any hopes the Welshman had of clawing his way back to wrest a fourth world crown. A 7-1 deficit instead raised the prospect of Zhao, who had hammered O'Sullivan with a session to spare in the last four, repeating the feat and becoming the first man to lift the title in an afternoon since Stephen Hendry obliterated Jimmy White in 1993. Those fears were not eased after a second session that left Williams five frames adrift overnight at 11-6 and it was not until a gutsy break of 67 in the 23rd frame that the Welshman guaranteed the fans – who had forked out for tickets for the Championship's final session – would at least get to witness the historic moment. When Zhao ran aground on a break of 30 in the opener, Williams proceeded to give them more than their money's worth, earning a standing ovation at the interval after reeling off four frames in a row, including his sole century of the final, to reduce the deficit to 17-12. Williams had two chances to further reduce the deficit, before Zhao held his nerve to wrap up a victory that was watched by an estimated 150 million television audience in his homeland.
Rhyl Journal
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Sky's the limit for China's first world champion Zhao Xintong
Williams, a member of the fabled 'Class of '92', conjured comparisons with a young Ronnie O'Sullivan after Zhao withstood a gutsy fightback from the veteran Welshman to wrap up an historic 18-12 victory. Williams said: 'He (Zhao) is as good to watch as O'Sullivan was when he was younger. He just strolls around the table and pots balls from anywhere as if he doesn't have a care in the world. ZHAO XINTONG IS THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD! 🏆#HaloWorldChampionship — WST (@WeAreWST) May 5, 2025 'Xintong is going to be a national hero now. He'll be on the front page of every news outlet going and I'm sure there are Chinese companies ready to throw zillions at him. 'It's great for our sport to have someone at the top who is so attacking and so young.' Resuming the final session one frame short of victory at 17-8, Zhao remained unflappable watching Williams, at 50 the oldest Crucible finalist, reel off four frames in a row to force a mid-session interval. The 28-year-old from Xi'an duly responded with a match-clinching break of 87 before celebrating by wrapping himself in a Chinese flag. 'It's like a dream – I can't believe it,' said Zhao, who also became only the third qualifier and the first amateur player to triumph at the Crucible, having lost his tour card in January 2023 for his part in a match-fixing scandal. Zhao had admitted being party to an effort to fix or contrive to fix two matches involving his compatriot Yan Bingtao – the former Masters winner – and despite frequently expressing contrition for his involvement, there may be some who believe his triumph is a tainted one. 'There was big pressure and I was a bit nervous because I knew I couldn't miss,' Zhao added. 'I knew he could come back so quickly so I had to concentrate and be very careful.' Referencing his 20-month ban that expired in September, Zhao added: 'I had nearly two years not playing in tour competitions and that's why I said my first target was to get through qualifying to the Crucible. 'I can't believe I went on to be champion, but I am back now and I want to keep going.' Zhao's win over Williams was his ninth of the tournament – a record for any champion – and his 47th in 49 matches since he embarked on his comeback with a 3-0 whitewash of Lithuanian Vilius Schulte-Ebbert in the inauspicious surroundings of a Q Tour event in Sofia in September. Two hundred and twenty-seven days later, Zhao went one better than Ding Junhui, who kick-started the Chinese snooker revolution when he swept to his first of three UK titles in 2005 but had never quite managed to emulate that achievement at the Crucible. Zhao has long been touted as Ding's heir apparent, O'Sullivan and Jimmy White singling him out as a future star soon after he was handed his first tour card in 2016. Williams had defied his own low expectations by forcing his way into his fifth Crucible final and eclipsing the previous record set by his fellow Welshman Ray Reardon who was 49 when he lost the 1982 final to Alex Higgins. Blighted by eye problems and booked in for lens replacement surgery this summer, Williams nevertheless dredged up every inch of his vast experience to edge past fellow veteran John Higgins in a quarter-final classic, then recovered from a 5-1 deficit to sink world number one Judd Trump in the last four. But Zhao's lightning start to their seventh career meeting – Williams got the better of a first round qualifying clash in 2017 when he had temporarily slid out of the world's top 64 – effectively ended any hopes the Welshman had of clawing his way back to wrest a fourth world crown. A 7-1 deficit first session instead paved the way to victory for Zhao, who was one frame short of becoming the first man to lift the title in an afternoon session since Stephen Hendry obliterated Jimmy White in 1993. Williams, who is now considering postponing scheduled lens replacement surgery after his surprise run to a fifth Crucible final, added: 'I played well all tournament but unfortunately I was never in the final from the first few frames. 'Some of the balls Zhao potted were unbelievable. I used to feel like that at 27 or 28. To do what he's done, having been out for 20 months then come back and won every game, come here and bashed everyone up in a major tournament, is unbelievable.'
Powys County Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Sky's the limit for China's first world champion Zhao Xintong
Zhao Xintong was crowned China's first world snooker champion on a defining night for the sport in Sheffield and his vanquished opponent Mark Williams believes the sky is the limit for the new Crucible king. Williams, a member of the fabled 'Class of '92', conjured comparisons with a young Ronnie O'Sullivan after Zhao withstood a gutsy fightback from the veteran Welshman to wrap up an historic 18-12 victory. Williams said: 'He (Zhao) is as good to watch as O'Sullivan was when he was younger. He just strolls around the table and pots balls from anywhere as if he doesn't have a care in the world. ZHAO XINTONG IS THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD! 🏆 #HaloWorldChampionship — WST (@WeAreWST) May 5, 2025 'Xintong is going to be a national hero now. He'll be on the front page of every news outlet going and I'm sure there are Chinese companies ready to throw zillions at him. 'It's great for our sport to have someone at the top who is so attacking and so young.' Resuming the final session one frame short of victory at 17-8, Zhao remained unflappable watching Williams, at 50 the oldest Crucible finalist, reel off four frames in a row to force a mid-session interval. The 28-year-old from Xi'an duly responded with a match-clinching break of 87 before celebrating by wrapping himself in a Chinese flag. 'It's like a dream – I can't believe it,' said Zhao, who also became only the third qualifier and the first amateur player to triumph at the Crucible, having lost his tour card in January 2023 for his part in a match-fixing scandal. Zhao had admitted being party to an effort to fix or contrive to fix two matches involving his compatriot Yan Bingtao – the former Masters winner – and despite frequently expressing contrition for his involvement, there may be some who believe his triumph is a tainted one. 'There was big pressure and I was a bit nervous because I knew I couldn't miss,' Zhao added. 'I knew he could come back so quickly so I had to concentrate and be very careful.' Referencing his 20-month ban that expired in September, Zhao added: 'I had nearly two years not playing in tour competitions and that's why I said my first target was to get through qualifying to the Crucible. 'I can't believe I went on to be champion, but I am back now and I want to keep going.' Zhao's win over Williams was his ninth of the tournament – a record for any champion – and his 47th in 49 matches since he embarked on his comeback with a 3-0 whitewash of Lithuanian Vilius Schulte-Ebbert in the inauspicious surroundings of a Q Tour event in Sofia in September. Two hundred and twenty-seven days later, Zhao went one better than Ding Junhui, who kick-started the Chinese snooker revolution when he swept to his first of three UK titles in 2005 but had never quite managed to emulate that achievement at the Crucible. Zhao has long been touted as Ding's heir apparent, O'Sullivan and Jimmy White singling him out as a future star soon after he was handed his first tour card in 2016. Williams had defied his own low expectations by forcing his way into his fifth Crucible final and eclipsing the previous record set by his fellow Welshman Ray Reardon who was 49 when he lost the 1982 final to Alex Higgins. Blighted by eye problems and booked in for lens replacement surgery this summer, Williams nevertheless dredged up every inch of his vast experience to edge past fellow veteran John Higgins in a quarter-final classic, then recovered from a 5-1 deficit to sink world number one Judd Trump in the last four. But Zhao's lightning start to their seventh career meeting – Williams got the better of a first round qualifying clash in 2017 when he had temporarily slid out of the world's top 64 – effectively ended any hopes the Welshman had of clawing his way back to wrest a fourth world crown. A 7-1 deficit first session instead paved the way to victory for Zhao, who was one frame short of becoming the first man to lift the title in an afternoon session since Stephen Hendry obliterated Jimmy White in 1993. Williams, who is now considering postponing scheduled lens replacement surgery after his surprise run to a fifth Crucible final, added: 'I played well all tournament but unfortunately I was never in the final from the first few frames. 'Some of the balls Zhao potted were unbelievable. I used to feel like that at 27 or 28. To do what he's done, having been out for 20 months then come back and won every game, come here and bashed everyone up in a major tournament, is unbelievable.'
