**Chinese Snooker Star Triggers Rare Clause to Pocket £100k after Crucible Triumph**
Snooker’s spotlight often lingers on legends like Ronnie O’Sullivan, but at this year’s World Snooker Championship, all eyes have turned to China’s Zhao Xintong. The 28-year-old cueist has not only stunned fans with his impeccable performance at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre but has also activated a little-known rankings clause, securing himself a life-changing £100,000 windfall.
Zhao’s impressive journey to the semi-finals was cemented by a resounding 13-5 victory over Chris Wakelin, nicknamed ‘The Beast’, in the quarter-finals. The result guarantees ‘The Cyclone’ a minimum six-figure payout, underscoring his remarkable resurgence following a turbulent period in his professional career.
Just two years ago, Zhao’s future in the sport appeared in jeopardy. He was among 10 Chinese players caught up in a far-reaching match-fixing investigation that rocked snooker in 2023. Although Zhao was not found to have fixed any matches, his involvement in the broader scandal led to a 20-month suspension from the World Snooker Tour (WST). The ban not only halted his momentum but saw Zhao stripped of all ranking points and left facing the daunting prospect of rebuilding from scratch.
Undeterred, Zhao returned to the circuit as an amateur – an unusual route for a former ranking event winner, particularly the 2021 UK Champion. Displaying remarkable grit, he wasted little time reasserting himself, stringing together wins that propelled him deep into this year’s premier tournament. His tenacity and talent have now been rewarded on both sporting and financial fronts.
What has captivated the snooker world is Zhao’s activation of a rarely-invoked rule in the WST’s regulations. While most amateur competitors see their prize money and ranking points reset upon rejoining the pro ranks, Zhao’s deep Crucible run has guaranteed him not just the hefty cheque but also a crucial “one-year card” – securing professional status for the upcoming season. Even more significantly, the obscure clause means Zhao will retain the ranking points accumulated from this tournament, which is seldom the case for those in his position.
In an official statement, the WST confirmed, “Former UK Championship winner Zhao is already enjoying the deepest ever run in this event by an amateur, though he is set to rejoin the pro tour next season. If he reaches the last four, the guaranteed prize money of £100,000 will be enough to lift him into the top 64 of the Johnstone’s Paint World Rankings. Which means that going into 2025/26, the 28-year-old will retain the ranking points he has earned this season.”
Such a scenario is testament to Zhao’s exceptional form and the flexibility of the governing body’s rules to accommodate rare feats of sporting resilience. The clause’s activation, while obscure, ensures that extraordinary achievements are matched by deserved reward and recognition. For a player previously on the brink of sporting obscurity, it marks a fresh chapter – and possibly a turning point in how snooker rewards redemption tales.
His next challenge could not be tougher: a World Championship semi-final showdown with legendary Ronnie O’Sullivan, a contest sure to command global attention. On the opposite side of the draw, Mark Williams takes on Judd Trump in a battle of past champions, ensuring this year’s Crucible finish is packed with drama and intrigue.
Zhao Xintong’s resurgence offers snooker a stirring narrative of redemption and persistence, proving that even the most controversial setbacks can be overcome with determination and skill. As he prepares for his biggest match yet, the sport – and its observers – will wait keenly to see if The Cyclone’s remarkable comeback can reach even greater heights.