**Zhao Xintong’s Historic World Snooker Triumph Sparks Concern For Sport’s Elite, Warns Jimmy White**
Zhao Xintong’s remarkable victory at the World Snooker Championship has sent shockwaves through the sport, with legend Jimmy White warning that snooker’s established stars – including Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan – should be seriously worried about the rise of China’s new champion.
The 28-year-old Zhao made history at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre by becoming China’s first ever world snooker champion. In an electrifying final, he saw off a spirited fightback from Mark Williams to secure an 18-12 win, etching his name in the annals of the sport. The triumph not only netted him the iconic trophy but also a winner’s cheque of £500,000. More notably, Zhao achieved this extraordinary feat as a qualifier and, technically, as an amateur – having only recently returned to the game after a period spent away from the professional circuit.
Zhao’s road to glory is as dramatic as his final victory. He had lost his professional tour card in January 2023 after a match-fixing scandal, which led to a 20-month suspension from the sport. Despite these challenges and the long lay-off, Zhao’s natural ability was never in doubt; he previously won the UK Championship in 2021. Now, as he prepares to return to full-time professional play next season, the rest of snooker’s elite have every reason to take his threat seriously.
Jimmy White, iconic for his own legendary runs at the Crucible and known for his candid assessments, struck a notably cautionary tone speaking after the final. Having recently received an invitational card to keep his own competitive career alive, White told TNT Sports, “What a player. It’s just about playing snooker for him. He’s got that natural gift and he’s played fantastic.” White’s comments are not idle praise, but rather a stark message to current and future world champions that Zhao could well become the sport’s next dominant force.
White elaborated further, pointing out the ease with which Zhao moved through the tournament. “When he beat Jak Jones I said if the draw pans out and he stays with O’Sullivan in the first session, I think he can go on and win it. This kid can win multiple World Championships. We’ve all known about him and he’s just proved it. At ease, he’s won this World Championship in probably third to fourth gear.”
Such statements carry additional weight when reiterated by someone of White’s standing. For the likes of Judd Trump – currently the world number one – the challenge has never been more urgent. Zhao’s return next season in full professional swing represents an immediate threat not only to Trump but also to other heavy-hitters like Kyren Wilson and, should he continue, the evergreen Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Meanwhile, Mark Williams, who watched his own hopes fade in the final, was quick to add his own endorsement of Zhao’s talents. “He is as good to watch as O’Sullivan was when he was younger,” Williams admitted. “He just strolls around the table and pots balls from anywhere as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. Xintong is going to be a national hero now.”
Indeed, Zhao’s triumph is expected to reverberate far beyond the boundaries of the snooker world. Williams continued: “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.”
Zhao’s success signals a potential shift in the balance of power within professional snooker, not only shining a light on the new generation of players emerging from China, but also promising a fresh, aggressive style of play at the highest level. This can only invigorate the sport and captivate fans worldwide.
As the dust settles on this year’s championship, the focus now turns to how snooker’s top contenders will respond. With Zhao Xintong’s talent now fully unleashed and his past troubles apparently behind him, the coming season could well herald a new era in global snooker, one where the competition is fiercer, and new legends are forged in the relentless pursuit of glory.