Latest news with #TheCyclone
South China Morning Post
17-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Zhao Xintong may have given snooker the 147 break it needs
An ability to excel at snooker was once seen as the sign of a misspent youth. Not any more. Newly crowned king of cue sports, Zhao Xintong, collected a £500,000 (HK$5.19 million) prize after becoming China's first world champion this month. He is now a national hero. The 28-year-old was mobbed by fans on his return to Shenzhen and spoke of his new, superstar status when visiting Hong Kong last week. His story, which includes involvement in a match-fixing scandal, is one of rise and fall and rise again. It should be both a lesson and an inspiration for young players. But the significance of his victory in England, watched by 150 million fans in China, goes beyond Zhao's redemption and triumph. It has been described as the most important in the sport's history. The win is a breakthrough for China and highlights the potential for Chinese players to dominate snooker in the future. This, it is hoped, will broaden the global appeal of the sport. And Hong Kong might be a beneficiary. Zhao, known as 'The Cyclone' because of his fast, attacking style, beat veteran Welsh star Mark Williams 18-12 in the final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield where he lives. He was given a standing ovation.
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Zhao Xintong plans to splash £500K snooker prize money on one thing after manager's threat
Zhao Xintong plans to splash £500K snooker prize money on one thing after manager's threat Chinese sensation Zhao Xintong has highlighted the one thing he could splurge his World Snooker Championship prize money on, which goes against his manager's warnings Zhao Xintong earned £500,000 for winning the World Snooker Championship (Image: George Wood, Getty Images ) Zhao Xintong could splurge his £500,000 World Snooker Championship winnings on luxury watches, despite his manager's advice not to enjoy spending "too much". The 28-year-old sealed a historic win on Monday by becoming the first player from Asia and China to win a final at the iconic Crucible Theatre. Zhao triumphed over three-time champion Mark Williams with an 18-12 victory in Sheffield, having already demolished seven-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-finals. His win was watched by an estimated 150 million viewers in China, and he pocketed an eye-watering £500,000 in prize money. Amid the swathes of media requests and messages on his phone, The Cyclone revealed he hadn't given much thought to how he would spend his earnings, but he did mention one potential way to splash out, saying: "I do like watches, different brands, too." Despite earning £1,306,712 across his career so far, Zhao's manager, Victoria Shi, is determined to ensure that the world champion remains astute with his finances. "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 absorbing the magnitude of his triumph, Zhao said on Tuesday that he was "slowly beginning to realise" the scale of what he'd accomplished. "I've had lots of media attention, and lots of celebrities have congratulated me," he said. Article continues below Among the first to congratulate Zhao was China's double Olympic champion table tennis star Wang Chuqin and badminton's two-time Asian Games gold medallist Li Shifeng. Zhao continued: "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." Before making it to the final, Zhao had to battle through four arduous qualifying rounds. Zhao 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. Zhao's manager Victoria Shi [L] will keep the Chinese star grounded (Image: OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty Images ) He pleaded guilty to betting on matches and knowing of a fellow player's intent to throw games, although he himself did not bet on them or throw them. Zhao was forced to fight his way up through the Q Tour and entered this year's World Snooker Championship as an amateur. His manager, Shi, believes these challenges have only served to strengthen Zhao's resolve. 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." Article continues below Although Zhao's worldwide ban was rescinded in September, he remains barred from competing in his homeland. That is due to the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association upholding the original 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," said Zhao. "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."
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ding Junhui's dad's opinion on snooker World Champion Zhao Xintong speaks volumes
Zhao Xintong was crowned World Snooker Champion on Monday night, beating Mark Williams in the final, and has been told exactly how his fellow potting countryman's father feels World champion Zhao Xintong had already won the respect of fellow Chinese snooker star Ding Junhui's father, before sweeping to victory at the Crucible. Having transformed the sport in China with major wins such as his three UK Championship triumphs and 2011 Masters victory, Ding seemed poised to become his country's first-ever world champion, especially after his 2016 final appearance. Yet, it is a different star who has now seized the world title, having achieved his breakout at the UK Championship in 2021. Zhao, rebounding from a 20-month suspension due to betting-related infractions that led to the suspension of ten Chinese players, blazed through the competition in Sheffield, overpowering Mark Williams 18-12 to claim snooker's most prestigious prize and a handsome £500,000 cheque on Monday. Post-game discussions turned to the topic of Ding when The Cyclone sat down with TNT Sports, and 28-year-old Zhao was informed of just how highly regarded he is by the father of his legendary compatriot. Radzi Chinyanganya, the presenting face during the post-victory interview, couldn't help but touch upon the topic of Ding, telling Zhao: "Ding's father is a big fan of yours. He says your character is very, very good. So even as a young boy, you had good character." World champion Zhao responded with a hint of nostalgia: "Yeah, I know uncle Ding. He helped me a lot before. And, when I was young, sometimes he would ask me, 'What do you want to do?'" Moments after clinching victory from Class of '92 icon Williams, who himself made history as the oldest-ever finalist at this event, Zhao voiced his elation, declaring his triumph a lifelong ambition realised, reports Wales Online. "I can't believe it. I am so happy. It feels like a dream right now," Zhao expressed. "I can't believe it's come true. I can't believe what I've done this month. It's been really exciting. "My parents, Victoria and my girlfriend and my coach when I was wrong thank you. I'll have a good drink tonight to celebrate. I just want to thank everybody for their support. I was so nervous tonight. He put me under so much pressure." Opponent Williams lauded the rising Chinese talent after bitter defeat, aligning him with young darts sensation Luke Littler, who has brought his own sport on leaps and bounds. "I'm glad I'll be too old when he's dominating the game," admitted the 50-year-old veteran Williams, decorated with 26 ranking titles throughout his career. "I've got nothing but admiration for what he's done, coming through the qualifiers. He hasn't played for two years, bashed everybody up. There's a new superstar of the game. "It could be huge for the sport. It could open floodgates everywhere. He could dominate or at least give [Judd] Trump or Kyren [Wilson] a run for their money. "With the Luke Littler thing in darts. This is what snooker needed: someone like him coming through. It is bound to open doors. It will be front page on every news outlet going."
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Ding Junhui's dad made feelings clear as Zhao Xintong becomes China's first snooker World Champion
Ding Junhui's dad made feelings clear as Zhao Xintong becomes China's first snooker World Champion An inspired Zhao Xintong broke new ground at the Crucible on Monday as he was named Asia's first world snooker champion, and an iconic compatriot's father made his feelings known Zhao Xintong has become China's first World Snooker Championship winner (Image: Getty Images ) World champion Zhao Xintong earned the admiration of fellow Chinese snooker superstar Ding Junhui's father before his Crucible domination. Ding will forever be known as the potter who brought the game of snooker forward leaps and bounds in his homeland of China, inspiring generations with his trio of UK Championship titles and 2011 Masters win. The man who spearheaded the Asian nation becoming a powerhouse within the sport looked for the longest time as though he would be the first from its shores to be named world champion, reaching the final in 2016. However, that title now goes to a different man, who first tasted ranking success at the UK Championship in 2021. Qualifier Zhao, fresh off a 20-month ban for betting breaches as part of a match fixing saga that saw 10 Chinese players suspended, has rattled through the field in Sheffield and bested a resurgent Mark Williams 18-12 to lift the World Snooker Championship title and bank £500,000 on Monday. After the clash, The Cyclone spoke to TNT Sports about his win, and was queried on his influential countryman Ding, being informed about how highly the 15-time ranking winner's father regards him. TNT presenter Radzi Chinyanganya spoke to Zhao after his stunning win, and while on the topic of potter Ding, he said: "Ding's father is a big fan of yours. He says your character is very, very good. So even as a young boy, you had good character." The world champion replied: "Yeah, I know Uncle Ding. He helped me a lot before. And, when I was young, sometimes he would ask me, 'What do you want to do?'" Article continues below Ding's father reportedly thinks the world of Zhao (Image: PA ) While Zhao appeared collected in this chat, immediately after he claimed glory from Class of '92 hero Williams, who became the oldest-ever finalist when he made the showpiece this time around, the 28-year-old stated that winning this tournament was always a dream. "I can't believe it. I am so happy. It feels like a dream right now," said Zhao. "I can't believe it's come true. I can't believe what I've done this month. It's been really exciting. "My parents, Victoria and my girlfriend and my coach when I was wrong thank you. I'll have a good drink tonight to celebrate. I just want to thank everybody for their support. I was so nervous tonight. He put me under so much pressure." Opponent Williams was full of praise for the Chinese star, even comparing him to another sporting phenom who has brought on his own game leaps and bounds, Luke Littler. "I'm glad I'll be too old when he's dominating the game," revealed 50-year-old Williams, who already has 26 ranking titles to his illustrious name. Article continues below "I've got nothing but admiration for what he's done, coming through the qualifiers. He hasn't played for two years, bashed everybody up. There's a new superstar of the game. "It could be huge for the sport. It could open floodgates everywhere. He could dominate or at least give [Judd] Trump or Kyren [Wilson] a run for their money. "With the Luke Littler thing in darts. This is what snooker needed: someone like him coming through. It is bound to open doors. It will be front page on every news outlet going."
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ronnie O'Sullivan shows true colours as he speaks out about snooker finalist's 20-month ban
Zhao Xintong was one of 10 Chinese snooker players banned for their roles in a match-fixing ring - and Ronnie O'Sullivan has had his say ahead of the World Championship final Seven-time world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has voiced his sympathy for Zhao Xintong and suggested his 20-month match-fixing suspension was harsh. The snooker icon hope of securing an eighth world title at the Crucible unravelled following a hefty 17-7 semi-final defeat by the talented Chinese star on Friday. Zhao made his comeback in September 2024 after a lengthy hiatus, having been punished as part of a match-fixing scandal that involved nine other Chinese players. Zhao was handed the lightest of the 10 punishments by the WPBSA but was nonetheless judged as part of one of the biggest scandals to hit snooker. The 28-year-old was found in breach of "being party to another player fixing two matches," as well as gambling on snooker matches. In addition to his suspension, he was also slapped with a £7,500 bill to cover costs. Despite the evidence put forward, O'Sullivan suggested the sanction applied to Zhao and others seemed somewhat severe. And with Zhao set to win his first World Championship final against Mark Williams on Sunday, 'The Rocket' discussed his views openly prior to facing Zhao in the semi-final. "Yeah, I think it was unfortunate for some of the boys," said O'Sullivan before the semi-final clash (per the Daily Express). "I think they wasn't really involved in it from what I gather. So some of them, you just think, it was really harsh for them. "There's some there that obviously were at it. And I think for some of them, it was a bit unfair. Maybe, I don't know. "I don't know the full facts of it, to be honest with you. But from what I heard, was just caught in the firing line and a bit [of] naivety, I suppose." Zhao has bounced back impressively from his snooker suspension and is now tantalisingly close to the Crucible title. His journey to the World Championship final has been marked by a series of commanding performances. 'The Cyclone' has won over fans after beating O'Sullivan, Chris Wakelin, Lei Peifan and Jak Jones on his way to the Crucible. And after attracting negative attention in light of his ban, many fans are now rooting for the Asian star to triumph in Sheffield. O'Sullivan, 49, has been a guiding force for Zhao and often acted as a mentor to the rising star. They've shared many sessions practising at Victoria's Academy in Sheffield, and touching images emerged showing the pair sharing a backstage embrace after Friday's semi. After his win, Zhao showed great sportsmanship and encouraged the audience at the Crucible to applaud O'Sullivan despite the one-sided match. Ever the gentleman, The Rocket downplayed his role and focusied the attention on Zhao's achievement. "I know we've got a really nice relationship, I'm always trying to help him if I can," he said post-match. "He wanted the crowd to give me a clap at the end but it was Zhao's moment, I tried to get off as quickly as I could because it was his moment to enjoy."
