**Zhao Xintong’s Historic Snooker World Title Sends Shockwaves Through the Sport**
Zhao Xintong has become the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship, a landmark triumph that has sparked both celebrations and controversy within the sport. His victory at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre, where he defeated three-time world champion Mark Williams 18-12, marks a significant moment in snooker history. However, the reaction among fellow professionals has been far from unanimous, exposing tensions in the game’s top ranks over eligibility and rewards.
Zhao’s journey to this pinnacle was anything but straightforward. Returning to the circuit in September 2024 after a 20-month suspension linked to snooker’s most significant match-fixing investigation, Zhao was not accused of fixing games himself. Instead, he admitted to betting on matches and being complicit with another player involved in fixing two games. The punishment included a £7,500 fine and saw Zhao relinquish his hard-earned position in the sport, only to fight his way back via the qualifying rounds.
The snooker community has largely recognised the enormity of Zhao’s sporting achievement, but the aftermath has been clouded by disputes over his eligibility for top prizes and rankings. Former world champion Ken Doherty, serving as a BBC pundit, had previously predicted Zhao could be a dark horse in the tournament after witnessing his storming performance in the qualifiers. Speaking ahead of the competition, Doherty commented, “Zhao would be a dark horse for me… when he did break the rules, he wasn’t gambling on the matches or throwing matches.” His forecast proved accurate, but it also set the stage for potential controversy.
Central to the uproar is the £500,000 prize money that accompanies the title – a sum traditionally reserved for fully established professionals. Despite his amateur status when entering the tournament, Zhao’s victory means he will take home the full winner’s share and jump straight to number 11 in the world rankings. He is also set to be seeded second in next season’s events, with the exception of the World Championship, owing to his new status as reigning title holder.
This unprecedented situation has drawn ire from within the professional ranks. Mark Allen, a prominent player, publicly questioned the process, sharing a screenshot from the World Snooker Tour’s entry requirements and pointing out apparent contradictions. With Zhao’s ascendancy, players such as Ali Carter – a two-time world finalist – are set to drop out of the top 16, forcing them to go through qualifiers for major tournaments for the forthcoming season.
Allen, referencing Doherty’s comments in a social media exchange, voiced widespread bewilderment: “Makes this part of our entry packs a little more difficult to understand. I’m sure Ali Carter is buzzing to hear this.” Carter himself retweeted the comments, stressing that his frustration lies not with Zhao but with the rule-makers: “My issue isn’t with Zhao at all. My issue is the fact there’s a rule in the entry pack for our events that they’re blatantly contradicting to suit themselves.”
The crux of the debate hinges on whether the rules governing tour qualifications and prize distributions should be altered mid-season or retrospectively, as some players believe has happened here. Carter notably added, “Change the rule for next season if you like but everyone entered knowing what the rules were and the goalposts have moved… What’s the point in having rules if you just change them whenever it suits?”
Amidst the heated discussions, Zhao himself has remained largely focused on his extraordinary return to the sport after a challenging spell away. His breakthrough carries immense significance not only for snooker but also for the growing legion of Asian fans who have long sought a figurehead in the world game.
The debate over rules and rewards is unlikely to fade soon. As the World Snooker Tour prepares to review its regulations, the sport finds itself at a crossroads: balancing fairness and inclusivity, while ensuring consistent enforcement of its long-standing rules.
Zhao Xintong’s momentous win will likely be celebrated for years to come. Yet, its wider ramifications for the snooker establishment may only be just beginning, as the authorities, players, and fans alike seek clarity and consensus in a fast-evolving global sport.