Xintong Zhao

Bio

Zhao Xintong made history by becoming the first ever winner of the World Championship from China when he defeated Mark Williams 18-12 at the Crucible Theatre. 

He won a record nine matches at the 2025 World Championship to come from the very first qualifying round to lift the historic title – notably defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals with a session to spare.

Zhao had confirmed his return to the professional ranks just two months earlier, following a 20-month suspension, as he dominated the 2024/25 WPBSA Q Tour Europe series by winning four events and compiling two maximum breaks.

The man from China had previously delivered on his widely recognised potential at the 2021 UK Championship as he defeated Luca Brecel 10-5 to lift his Triple Crown title in York.

Coming six years after he turned professional in 2016, his title run included victories against players including John Higgins, Jack Lisowski and Barry Hawkins, before he took down Brecel to become the fourth non-UK winner one of snooker’s most prestigious competitions and rise into the top 16 of the world rankings for the first time.

He would go on to secure his second ranking event title during the same season at the 2022 German Masters, scoring an impressive 9-0 final whitewash against Yan Bingtao in Berlin.

Early Career

After a series of ranking event appearances as a wildcard during his early career, which included victories against former world champions Ken Doherty and Steve Davis at the International Championship in 2012 and 2013 respectively. He also defeated Marco Fu in the first round of the 2014 Shanghai Masters.

It was not until 2016 that he would turn professional, a position that he would retain two years later by successfully coming through Q School Event 2.

Career Honours

WST Ranking Event Titles (3)

• 2024/25: World Championship
• 2021/22: UK Championship, German Masters

WST Non-Ranking Event Titles (1)

• 2025/26: Riyadh Season Championship