**Zhao Xintong’s Historic Snooker Triumph Sparks Reflections as Hendry Hints at Ding Junhui’s Disappointment**
In an extraordinary turn of events at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, Zhao Xintong has etched his name in snooker history, becoming the first amateur to secure the World Snooker Championship title. Zhao’s emphatic 18-12 victory over seasoned Welsh legend Mark Williams marks a landmark achievement not just for himself, but for Chinese snooker as a whole. Yet, amid the celebrations, the aftermath of his win has ignited thoughtful discussion, especially around one of China’s most celebrated players, Ding Junhui.
Zhao’s journey to the final proved as remarkable as the final match itself. Throughout the gruelling 29-day event, including qualifiers, Zhao won a staggering 111 frames across nine matches—a feat demonstrating not only consistency, but extraordinary mental resilience. Along his route, he notably overcame the likes of iconic snooker figure Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals, an accomplishment that further cemented his credentials on the global stage.
Stephen Hendry, the Scottish snooker maestro and seven-time world champion, weighed in on the significance of Zhao’s victory. During a recent episode of the Snooker Club podcast, Hendry speculated that while Zhao’s win has captured imaginations across China, it may be an emotional moment for Ding Junhui. Ding, whose name has long been synonymous with Chinese snooker, was notably the torchbearer for the sport’s explosive growth in China, thanks to his high-profile triumphs at multiple UK Championships and The Masters.
“Ding has been the standard-bearer for Chinese snooker for years,” Hendry observed. “Seeing Zhao lift the trophy as China’s first world champion, after so long, must be difficult for him to process. If I were in his shoes, I’d be fuming—it’s a career-defining moment he’s always aimed for, yet it’s now Zhao who’s claimed it first.” Hendry’s words shed light on just how much pride and expectation can rest on the shoulders of elite sportspeople, especially those seen as national pioneers.
Ding’s own quest for snooker’s most prestigious title still remains unfulfilled. His closest attempt came in 2016 when he reached the final, only to be bested by Mark Selby in an intense 18-14 showdown. Since then, Ding has yet to recapture that spotlight, and at this year’s championship, his race was halted in the second round by Belgium’s Luca Brecel after a convincing 13-4 defeat. It is a blow for a player whose career achievements and influence in China are undeniably significant.
Despite any private feelings of disappointment, Ding showed remarkable sportsmanship in the public arena. Shortly after Zhao clinched the title, Ding took to social media to extend his congratulations. In a heartfelt message, he praised Zhao’s accomplishment as not only a triumph for an individual, but as a realisation of a dream collectively held by generations of Chinese snooker enthusiasts and professionals. “This moment of glory is the best reward for the Chinese fans who have supported the sport for so long,” Ding wrote. His words carried a sense of both pride and solidarity, noting how “the runway” he helped pave in the past now enabled a compatriot to reach the finish line.
Hendry, while sympathetic to Ding’s likely disappointment, also suggested that this turn of events could act as fresh motivation. He speculated that being overtaken as China’s foremost snooker figure might “spur Ding on,” potentially inspiring a powerful response in the next season. However, Hendry acknowledged the changing dynamics within the Chinese snooker community, with Zhao now occupying centre stage and a new era beckoning for the sport in the country.
With snooker rapidly gaining both popularity and investment in China, Zhao’s success could mark the beginning of a broader shift, with more players from the region expected to emerge on the world stage. The nation’s fans, many of whom first rallied behind Ding, now have a new champion to support, and the immediate future for Chinese snooker looks brighter than ever.
For now, though, the story remains tinged with poignancy. While the sport rightly celebrates its new champion, the emotional implications for Ding—and for all players passing the torch to a new generation—offer a compelling subplot to the ongoing evolution of snooker as a truly global sport.