Latest news with #ZhaoXintong
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Inside Ronnie O'Sullivan's former life on a CANAL BOAT as snooker legend prepares to swap modest livelihood for Middle East luxury
The biggest name in snooker, Ronnie O'Sullivan is widely considered as the best player of all-time. The seven-time world champion has won 41 ranking events and has broken nearly every record in the game. Now his next steps are to move to the Middle East after his 17-7 defeat by Zhao Xintong in the World Championship semi-finals earlier this May. The defeat stopped O'Sullivan from having a chance to break another record - the most World Snooker Championship titles - but he was full of praise for 28-year-old Xintong. During the match, O'Sullivan was seen struggling to find the right cue to play with as he altered between two different cues from different manufacturers. It was a tournament, by his own volition, that saw the Rocket struggle to get going amid a lack of form coming into the Crucible. But following his defeat, O'Sullivan made the surprising admission that he intends to leave the UK to live in the Middle East, in a post-match interview with BBC Sport. 'I think I am going to be moving out of the UK this year. I'll be moving away to the Middle East. We'll see how it goes - I might be back in six months.' Whilst it looks like O'Sullivan is set to be moving to the Middle East, it wouldn't be the first time he has upped sticks and moved on - he has previously moved into and lived on a luxury canal boat. Considering his rich history of winning title after title, one would have thought the snooker champ would have splashed out on a fancier and much bigger boat like a super yacht. The 49-year-old spent £130,000 on a 60-foot canal boat back in 2018 which he moored at Regent's Canal, allowing him to traverse the rivers of north and east London. Speaking to Matt Smith on Eurosport, O'Sullivan said: 'It's no big yacht but it's alright. 'I lived on a boat about seven or eight years ago in London and I loved it. 'I spent about three or four months living on it but couldn't use it because I had to get back to work - but I always had it in my mind that I'd buy another one.' His water pad was not your usual canal boat with comfortable furnishings such as a sofa, rug and a television as well as an indoor fireplace to give that cosy feel. The boat remarkably contains a double bed and en-suite bathroom with tiled floors and redwood vanity units with granite work tops. Moreover, the humble abode included a state-of-the-art kitchen with a double oven and a wooden oval table, perfect for hosting friends on an evening. O'Sullivan spoke of the boat, saying it was much better than being stuck in a hotel room, allowing him to invite his pals over to watch the snooker. Yet, just a year later, the Rocket put the floating home for sale for £129,950 without looking to jump ship to another canal boat. In recent years, O'Sullivan has struggled on and off the table, previously stating that he has taken medication to deal with anxiety. He had a three-month absence from the sport earlier in the season, leading to speculation about his future, as he pulled out of the German Masters and the UK Open. Given he has a connection to the Middle East already with a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia, the move abroad may be the change he needs to come back to the Crucible revitalised. O'Sullivan said in his BBC Sport interview: 'A new life somewhere else [in the Middle East]. 'I don't know how that is going to pan out. 'I will still try to play snooker but I don't know what the future looks like for me really. 'It is a big part of my life but I have to try and figure out what my future looks like, whether it's playing or not.' Suggestions of O'Sullivan putting the cue down could certainly be inferred from these quotes, but perhaps the move to the Middle East away from Essex is the key to his future in the sport.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Disgraced Chinese snooker star Yan Bingtao criticised for advice to world champion Zhao
The disgraced Chinese snooker player Yan Bingtao has attracted criticism after offering advice to new world champion Zhao Xintong. Advertisement Having kept a low profile since being banned for five years in 2023 for match-fixing, Yan on Wednesday posted a clip on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. The 25-year-old made no mention of his downfall or his future plans, but warned Zhao – who this month became the first from China to win the world title – of some potential pitfalls of his position. Having served his own 20-month ban, a remorseful Zhao resumed his career outside the professional ranks last September before sweeping to a stunning global triumph in Sheffield. Zhao Xintong has been showered with attention since winning the world title. Photo: AFP 'I believe he will reach new heights in the future, but what he should do now is to balance well,' Yan said in his eight-minute video. 'Zhao is now at the pinnacle of his career and there will be a lot of commercial activities.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Zhao Xintong shows his true character despite still being banned from snooker in China
Zhao Xintong shows his true character despite still being banned from snooker in China Zhao Xintong became the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship earlier this month - but he is still banned from competing in his native China Zhao Xintong has big plans this year (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Zhao Xintong is currently unable to pursue his dream of winning a tournament in China due to an ongoing snooker ban. The 28-year-old made history earlier this month by becoming the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible thanks to an 18-12 win over Mark Williams. However, he remains barred from competing in his home country. The world championship was only Zhao's second professional tournament since returning from a suspension related to a match-fixing investigation involving 10 players, which dates back to January 2023. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) reduced his initial 30-month ban to 20 months after it was established that, while he had knowingly placed bets on fixed games, he had not personally fixed any matches. Despite being permitted to compete globally, the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) has upheld the original ban, meaning Zhao is still prohibited from competing in China until 1 July 2025. Since his triumph at the World Snooker Championship, Zhao has spent time in his homeland and expressed his determination to build on his success next season. As a former UK Open winner, Zhao is now just a Masters win away from achieving the coveted Triple Crown, and he is also eager to lift a trophy on Chinese soil. Setting his sights on becoming the first Chinese or Asian player to win a snooker title on home soil, 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. Article continues below "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." With his suspension ending before the new snooker season, Zhao could potentially realise his dream at the Shanghai Masters, scheduled from July 28 to August 3, reports the Express. Since relocating to England in 2016, Zhao, known as 'The Cyclone', has acknowledged the positive impact Sheffield has had on his career. World snooker champion Zhao Xintong is banned from competing in China (Image: (Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) ) Article continues below He also believes his world title victory could significantly influence snooker's growth in China. Reflecting on his World Championship triumph and its implications, Zhao 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 shared his anticipation for next year's World Grand Prix, scheduled to take place in Hong Kong from February 3-8.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- 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.
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Mark Williams left in the shade as former professional snooker star banks over £500,000
Mark Williams left in the shade as former professional snooker star banks over £500,000 Mark WIlliams came second best to Zhao Xintong at the World Snooker Championship this year, but his earnings from the tournament pale compared to one ex-pro's recent payday Mark Williams finished as a runner-up at the World Snooker Championship (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Mark William's £200,000 prize pot for finishing as a runner up at the World Snooker Championship has been outshone by a former professional's recent payday. The Class of '92 star battled it out with Zhao Xintong until the end in the tournament's grand finale earlier this month, but ultimately couldn't match the Chinese sensation - who won 18-12 to clinch his first world title. And while Williams will have been wounded not to have only missed out on a fourth World Championship but also the £500,000 cash prize that accompanies it, the payday pales compared to the one Niu Zhuang just landed. The 30-year-old - who competed professionally between 2017 and 2019 thanks to his emphatic performances on the Chinese tour - has turned to Heyball since his exit from the world stage, recently clinching the JOY Heyball Masters in Chengdu and the £518,000 prize that comes with it. The Chinese star emerged victorious through a field of more than 600 competitors, playing for the full 22-day duration of the tournament en-route to a 23-11 win over fellow countryman Zhang Taiyi in the final. Heyball, a hybrid cue sport played in an eight-ball format on a smaller snooker table, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Article continues below Several renowned snooker stars have participated in JOY events, with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry even spotted alongside some of the sport's top players recently. Niu Zhuang won £518,000 at the JOY Heyball Masters (Image: (Image: Getty) ) While Niu's financial gain from the Heyball Masters surpassed Zhao's earnings from his World Championship win, the same can't be said for the runner-up, Zhang. The Chinese star reportedly received a £151,000 runners' up prize to Williams' £200k for his efforts in Sheffield, reports the Express. Zhao's victory in the World Snooker Championship in May, as an amateur, defied all odds. The 28-year-old triumphed over seasoned players like Chris Wakelin and O'Sullivan, winning a staggering 111 frames across nine matches over 29 days to clinch the title with a win over Williams. Zhao Xintong won the World Snooker Championship earlier this month (Image: (Image: Getty) ) Article continues below However, his victory stirred controversy among snooker fans. Despite serving a suspension from the sport until last September, Zhao is expected to rise to 11th in the world rankings when the professional tour resumes later this year. In January 2023, Zhao was among several players suspended following a match-fixing investigation. Although he didn't fix any matches himself, he confessed to betting on games, resulting in a 20-month ban. On the other hand, Niu didn't meet expectations during his two-year professional career in the sport, leading to his relegation from the tour in 2019. His best result as a professional came with a final 32 place at the German Masters in 2018.
