Chinese snooker sensation Zhao Xintong has revealed his intentions for spending the £500,000 prize money he scooped after clinching the World Snooker Championship crown—an idea that has prompted both excitement and caution within his camp.
The 28-year-old made history on Monday by becoming the first player from Asia, and more specifically China, to secure victory in a World Championship final at Sheffield’s famous Crucible Theatre. Zhao’s 18-12 defeat of Welshman Mark Williams culminated a remarkable run in which he also toppled seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals. In an interview after his momentous win, Zhao hinted that a portion of his hard-earned cash might find its way into acquiring luxury watches, much to the chagrin of his manager.
The player, whose rapid rise has electrified the snooker world and captivated as many as 150 million viewers in China, confessed that he hadn’t made extensive plans for his windfall. “I do like watches, different brands, too,” Zhao admitted, reflecting a penchant that contradicts the financial prudence his manager would prefer.
Victoria Shi, Zhao’s manager, has made it clear that whilst celebrating his achievement is only fair, she intends to ensure he approaches his financial future with a level head. “Let him enjoy the prize money,” she remarked, “but if he enjoys it too much, I will tell him off. He’s the first Asian world champion and that is huge. But it’s my job to make sure he stays grounded.” It’s an attitude that reflects both pride in his ground-breaking achievements and concern for the pressures that come with sudden celebrity and fortune.
For Zhao, the magnitude of his victory is still only beginning to sink in. On the day following his triumph, he shared, “I’m slowly beginning to realise the scale of what I’ve accomplished. There’s been a lot of media attention and plenty of celebrities have congratulated me.” Indeed, among those who offered their congratulations were major names from China’s sporting world, including table tennis champion Wang Chuqin and badminton star Li Shifeng.
The road to his title was fraught with challenges, both professional and personal. Prior to returning to the spotlight, Zhao endured an enforced absence from the sport following a match-fixing controversy. Twenty months out of the professional game—his initial sanction of 30 months having been reduced on appeal—could have ended a lesser player’s career. He had admitted to betting on snooker matches and being aware of another player’s intent to manipulate outcomes, though it was clarified he did not bet on or throw matches himself. This saga forced him to restart his ascent via the qualifying tour and to enter this year’s championship as an amateur ranked outside the sport’s elite.
Shi reflects that these hardships may have ultimately benefited Zhao, toughening his resilience and sharpening his perspective. “I told him, you didn’t kill anyone, you didn’t lose your arms and legs,” she said. “You made the biggest mistake of your life, now learn from it and you will become a stronger person. I think he is stronger now because of it.” Such firm but supportive words show the depth of faith and guidance behind the scenes.
Notably, even though Zhao’s global ban ended in September and his exploits have been celebrated around the world, he remains unable to compete in China. The Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association continues to uphold the original 30-month suspension at home, meaning he cannot appear before a home crowd in the foreseeable future.
Despite the turbulence of recent years, Zhao has remained optimistic and focused. “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,” Zhao said, his determination clear. “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.”
As Zhao Xintong savours what many consider a redemptive and career-defining victory, the debate over how he spends his record-breaking winnings reflects the dual pressures of celebrity and responsibility. Whether adding to an enviable watch collection or building towards a business future, one thing is certain: snooker’s newest world champion is facing the next chapter of his life with both the confidence of a winner and the watchful support of those entrusted with his legacy.