**World Snooker Champion Zhao Xintong Urges Young Talents to Train in the UK Despite Star Exodus**
Newly crowned World Snooker Champion Zhao Xintong has called on emerging snooker players, particularly those from Asia, to relocate to the United Kingdom if they wish to reach the pinnacle of the sport—even as some of the game’s biggest names are moving in the opposite direction.
Zhao, the first Asian player to claim the world title following his decisive 18-12 victory against Mark Williams, has spoken candidly about the advantages he gained from moving to Sheffield as a teenager. He maintains that the exposure to the UK’s competitive environment and high standard of play are crucial for developing world-class talent.
“My experience in the UK significantly helped me as a player,” Zhao told the *South China Morning Post*. “The training facilities here are superior and the overall standard of competition pushes you to improve every day. Back home, the competitive level just isn’t as high, which can make it hard to stay motivated and progress professionally. If you’re serious about making it, the UK remains the place to be.”
This stance marks a pronounced contrast with that of previous world champions like Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump. Both have recently chosen to establish residences outside the UK, citing lifestyle and business opportunities in Asia and the Middle East as decisive factors in their moves.
O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion revered as perhaps the greatest player of all time, was granted Hong Kong residency last year in light of his expanding business interests across the region. “Seventy percent of my work is now in China and wider Asia, so setting up a home here makes sense,” he explained during an interview with TNT Sports. O’Sullivan praised not just the booming snooker scene but also the lifestyle, stating: “The culture, food and lifestyle here are fantastic. If you want a rewarding way of life, there’s much to recommend about Hong Kong.”
Looking further ahead, O’Sullivan hinted at a possible move to the Middle East, telling reporters: “I think I’m going to be moving out of the UK this year. I want to settle in the Middle East for a while. Of course, things could change, and I might find myself back in the UK, but for now, I’m looking forward to a fresh start.”
Judd Trump, another major figure in the sport and a former world champion, has mirrored this trend towards global mobility. Trump intends to divide his time between Hong Kong and Dubai, where his partner Maisy Ma—herself a television personality and former competitive skater—resides. “I love everything about Hong Kong: the food, the vibe, even the architecture,” Trump recently shared. “It’s a unique mix of excitement and relaxation—you’re in the heart of a bustling city, but a short drive gets you to the beach.”
Trump has also emphasised the positive changes these moves have made to his personal and professional life: “I’ve experienced a completely different lifestyle since living partly in Dubai and Hong Kong. I’m not just going from practice to home anymore; there’s a world outside snooker that I enjoy. It’s made me happier off the table, and perhaps that’s why my form has been so consistent recently.”
Nevertheless, Zhao continues to advocate for a more traditional path to snooker glory. He highlights how training in the UK—especially in hubs like Sheffield—offers daily challenges from a depth of competition that isn’t easily found elsewhere. Zhao himself practised at Victoria’s Snooker Academy, just a short distance from the famous Crucible Theatre where he sealed his world title, and believes this immersion played a pivotal role in his rise.
Meanwhile, many of Hong Kong’s promising snooker stars receive support from the Hong Kong Sports Institute, which offers monthly stipends to elite players. Yet, Zhao argues that despite such incentives, the intensity of competition in the UK remains unmatched and vital for those with world-title aspirations.
The divergent views among snooker’s elite reflect a sport in transition. While Zhao stands firm in championing the UK as the heartland of snooker development, others are seizing new opportunities abroad. As the global snooker scene continues to evolve, players’ choices on where to live and train are likely to remain as varied and dynamic as the game itself.