**Zhao Xintong’s Touching Tribute After Dominant Victory Over Ronnie O’Sullivan at Crucible**
Zhao Xintong’s stunning performance in the World Snooker Championship semi-final has won him plaudits, but it was his heartwarming post-match gesture that drew as much praise as his skill at the table. The Chinese rising star secured an emphatic 17-7 win against the iconic Ronnie O’Sullivan, earning his first ever spot in a Crucible final. Yet, rather than celebrate his own achievement in isolation, Zhao made sure the crowd paid tribute to the man he had just soundly defeated.
As soon as Zhao potted the final black to confirm his place in snooker’s most prestigious final, the magnitude of the moment reverberated around the Crucible Theatre. O’Sullivan, a legend of the sport and seven-time world champion, played the part of a gracious sportsman, rising from his chair and approaching Zhao at the table. The pair shared a warm embrace, evidence of the respect that exists between generational rivals.
In a touching moment that captured the crowd, Zhao then gestured towards O’Sullivan, raising his hands above the veteran’s head and encouraging the audience to give their applause to ‘The Rocket’. The Crucible faithful obliged, offering a rousing ovation to O’Sullivan, whose influence on the game continues to transcend the sport itself. The gesture was a clear sign of Zhao’s admiration for the snooker icon, and the emotional response on O’Sullivan’s face spoke volumes about the mutual respect shared between the two competitors.
Speaking after the match, Zhao was quick to reveal just what the encounter meant to him, highlighting O’Sullivan’s role as his idol and inspiration. “I can’t believe that,” Zhao told the BBC, still absorbing the enormity of his triumph. “I need to say thank you to Ronnie because he helped me a lot before. To be honest, I didn’t want to win here [against O’Sullivan] at the Crucible, because… Hopefully he can win his eighth title and Triple Crown here. He’s my idol.”
Such words from Zhao underscore the reverence with which O’Sullivan is held within the snooker community, particularly among younger players who grew up watching him redefine the sport’s limits. Zhao went on to express his gratitude simply for the opportunity to feature on snooker’s grandest stage. “I try to enjoy the Crucible here. That’s my first time playing with the single table here. It’s an amazing time for me, I just want to enjoy it because I don’t know how many times I will enjoy it here. But I’m doing well.”
Even after their official media duties were complete, the spirit of sportsmanship persisted. Zhao was spotted later in O’Sullivan’s dressing room, once again embracing his hero—a rare glimpse behind the scenes that further highlighted the affection and respect off the table.
For O’Sullivan, the defeat was met with characteristic candour and humility. “I just felt like I never gave him a game so that’s a bit disappointing,” O’Sullivan reflected after the match. He was, however, quick to acknowledge the quality of Zhao’s performance throughout the tournament. “Zhao deserved his victory. I think he’s done brilliantly all tournament and all credit to Zhao. He played better than me.”
Zhao Xintong now moves on to the most significant match of his professional life—a Crucible final with history beckoning. But regardless of how events unfold, his show of respect in the moments after victory has already marked him out not only as a fabulous talent but as a wonderful ambassador for the sport.
Acts of humility and admiration such as Zhao’s serve as timely reminders of the camaraderie that can exist even at the pinnacle of competitive sport. In defeating his idol, Zhao Xintong not only announced his arrival as a major force within snooker but showed the world the spirit and sportsmanship that make the game so enduringly popular.
Fans will be watching closely to see how Zhao fares in his maiden Crucible final, but for now, many are still talking about the young man’s class—on and off the table.