Zhao Xintong

Zhao Xintong became the first player from Asia to win the World Snooker Championship when he defeated Mark Williams 18–12 in the 2025 final at the Crucible Theatre. His journey to that title, which included a semi-final victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan with a session to spare, was all the more remarkable because he had returned from an 18-month ban for match-fixing offences less than a year earlier.

Born on 3 April 1997 in Bao’an, Shenzhen, China, Zhao turned professional in 2016 and quickly established himself as one of the most naturally gifted players on the tour. Known as “The Cyclone,” he is a left-handed player whose attacking style has drawn comparisons with some of the sport’s greats. As of May 2026, he is ranked third in the world and has career earnings exceeding £1.17 million.

His career arc is unusual by any standard. A UK Championship winner in 2021, he was banned from the sport in 2023, lost his professional status, and then fought his way back through the amateur ranks before claiming snooker’s biggest prize. The following year, he fell to the so-called Crucible curse, losing in the quarter-finals as defending champion.

How Old Is Zhao Xintong? Height, Wife, and Net Worth

Key Insights

• Zhao Xintong made history as the first Chinese world snooker champion in 2025.
• He returned from an 18-month match-fixing ban to win the title.
• He fell victim to the Crucible curse in 2026, losing as defending champion.
• His official net worth is not disclosed; estimates are speculative.
• He is an active social media user and brand ambassador for BYD.

Personal Snapshot

Zhao comes from a professional family. His father is a doctor and his mother a nurse. He received a full-sized snooker table at age 10 and left school at 13 to dedicate himself to the sport, practising 10 hours a day. He made his first century break at age 12.

What Happened with Zhao Xintong’s Match-Fixing Scandal?

In January 2023, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) suspended Zhao Xintong and charged him with match-fixing offences alongside a group of Chinese players. The case was part of a wider investigation into corruption in the sport.

The Charges and Findings

Zhao was not personally found guilty of fixing matches. However, he was found guilty of being party to another player fixing two matches and of betting on snooker matches himself. The distinction is important: the WPBSA did not allege that Zhao directly manipulated the outcome of his own matches, but that he was involved in arrangements involving another player and separately placed bets on the sport.

The Ban and Its Consequences

The initial ban was set at 30 months and was upheld by the China Billiards and Snooker Association. It was later reduced to 20 months due to early admissions and a guilty plea. The ban expired in September 2024.

During the suspension, Zhao lost his professional status on the World Snooker Tour. He regained it in 2025 after a successful period on the WPBSA Q Tour Europe, where he won four events and made two maximum 147 breaks. He was also barred from entering events in mainland China until July 2025.

What Is Zhao Xintong’s Current Ranking and Next Match?

World Ranking Position

As of May 2026, Zhao Xintong is ranked number 3 in the world, which also stands as his highest career ranking. He has earned more than £1.17 million in prize money over his career, and some observers have suggested he could eventually surpass Ronnie O’Sullivan as the wealthiest snooker player in history, though such projections remain speculative.

Upcoming Schedule

Zhao’s next tournament is likely to be the opening event of the 2026/27 season. Official schedules are published by World Snooker Tour and the WPBSA. His 2025/26 season included ranking titles at the World Grand Prix, Players Championship, and Tour Championship, as well as the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, where he defeated Neil Robertson 5–2.

How to Watch Zhao Xintong Matches?

Broadcast and Streaming Options

Major snooker tournaments are broadcast by various international networks and streaming services. Coverage of events involving Zhao Xintong is typically available through the official broadcast partners of the World Snooker Tour, which vary by region. The WPBSA and WST websites publish broadcast details for each tournament.

Social Media and Updates

Zhao maintains an official Instagram account where he shares updates on his schedule and activities. He has also become a brand ambassador for BYD, the Chinese automobile manufacturer, reflecting his growing marketability since winning the world title.

Zhao Xintong Career Timeline

1. 3 April 1997: Born in Bao’an, Shenzhen, China.
2. 2016: Turned professional at age 19.
3. 2021: Won his first ranking title, the UK Championship, defeating Luca Brecel 10–5.
4. January 2023: Suspended and charged with match-fixing offences by the WPBSA; received an initial 30-month ban later reduced to 20 months.
5. September 2024: Ban expired; began playing again as an amateur on the Q Tour.
6. May 2025: Won the World Snooker Championship, defeating Mark Williams 18–12. First Chinese, Asian, and amateur to win the title.
7. April 2026: Lost in the quarter-finals of the World Championship to Shaun Murphy, falling to the Crucible curse.

Certainty vs. Uncertainty: What We Know About Zhao Xintong

Analysis: Zhao Xintong’s Rise, Fall, and Redemption

Zhao Xintong’s career arc is remarkable by any measure. From a promising young talent who won the UK Championship in 2021, he faced a ban in 2023 that could have ended his professional life. The match-fixing scandal was part of a wider WPBSA investigation into Chinese players, and Zhao’s involvement, while not including direct match-fixing on his part, was serious enough to cost him his tour card.

His return to the sport through the amateur Q Tour, where he dominated with four event wins and two maximum breaks, demonstrated both his resilience and his enduring talent. Earning wildcards to the UK Championship and World Championship, he then won nine consecutive matches from the first qualifying round to take the world title. The victory was widely seen as a redemption story.

The 2026 Crucible curse, a long-observed pattern in which first-time world champions lose their title the following year, continued with Zhao’s quarter-final defeat to Shaun Murphy. His marketability has grown significantly since the world title win, evidenced by his ambassadorship with BYD. His career earnings of over £1.17 million place him among the most successful Chinese players in the sport’s history.

Sources and Quotations

The following sources were used in compiling this article:

• Wikipedia – Zhao Xintong
• WPBSA Official Player Profile
• World Snooker Tour Player Profile
• The Independent – Zhao Xintong feature
• ESPN – Crucible curse article
• Reddit – Interview with Zhao Xintong
• YouTube – Zhao Xintong interview

“Not personally found guilty of fixing matches, but was found guilty of being party to another player fixing two matches and betting on snooker matches himself.”

— Summary of WPBSA findings, as reported by Wikipedia and The Independent

What’s Next for Zhao Xintong?

Zhao Xintong will aim to regain the world title and climb back to world number one. His next tournament is likely to be the opening event of the 2026/27 season. Official schedules are published by the World Snooker Tour and the WPBSA. He also remains active on social media, where he shares updates with his followers. For readers interested in other sports figures who have made notable comebacks, the profile of Dave Allen – Boxer Record, Next Fight, and Why He Isn’t Dead offers a similar story of resilience, while Dillian Whyte – Boxing Record, Net Worth and Next Fight 2025 provides context on another athlete navigating career challenges.

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