Brief Introduction of Zhao Xintong
Zhao Xintong, born on April 3, 1997, is a prominent professional snooker player from China who has made a significant impact on the sport. Nicknamed “The Cyclone” for his rapid playing style, he is celebrated for his incredible natural talent and break-building ability. Zhao rose to prominence during the 2021–22 season when he captured his first Triple Crown title at the UK Championship and followed it with a dominant victory at the German Masters. His career, however, faced a significant setback in 2023 when he was suspended as part of a match-fixing investigation. Despite this, Zhao made a remarkable comeback, culminating in a historic victory at the 2025 World Snooker Championship, becoming the first player from China and Asia to win the prestigious title. His journey of triumph, adversity, and redemption has positioned him as one of the most compelling figures in modern snooker.
Zhao Xintong Overview
| Full Name | Zhao Xintong |
| Date of Birth | April 3, 1997 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 28 |
| Birthplace | Xi’an, China |
| Profession | Professional Snooker Player |
| Husband/Wife | Not publicly available |
| Family | Zhao Xiaowei (Father), Wen Anxiao (Mother) |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Victoria (mentioned as girlfriend) |
| Net Worth | Approximately £1.5 million |
Early Life and Education of Zhao Xintong
Zhao Xintong was born in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, China, on April 3, 1997. His family later relocated to Shenzhen, a city with a burgeoning snooker culture, for his parents’ work. An only child, his father, Zhao Xiaowei, is the vice-president of a hospital, and his mother, Wen Anxiao, is a nurse at the same facility. Zhao’s fascination with snooker began at the age of eight when he saw tables set up outside local stores. As his interest grew, his parents, despite initial skepticism about a sporting career, were supportive. They installed a snooker table in their home for him to practice on. A unique aspect of his early training was his use of roller skates to compensate for his height at the full-sized table, a method that inadvertently helped him develop a quick and fluid movement around the table. His parents’ support became unwavering after he expressed a firm desire to pursue snooker professionally. This led to the significant decision for him to leave Songgang Middle School in 2009 to dedicate himself to full-time snooker training, a choice that was unconventional at the time, especially for an only child in China. He later trained at a specialized snooker academy, honing his skills.
Zhao Xintong’s Career
Zhao Xintong’s career is a compelling narrative of prodigious talent, significant triumphs, a major controversy, and a historic comeback. As an amateur, he quickly gained a reputation as a “Wildcard Menace” by defeating established professionals, including former world champions Ken Doherty and Steve Davis, in ranking events held in China. His attacking style earned him praise, with Steve Davis comparing him to a young Ronnie O'sullivan. After reaching the final of the World Amateur Championship twice, Zhao turned professional in 2016. His initial years on the tour were a learning curve, showing flashes of brilliance but lacking consistency. He reached his first ranking semi-final at the 2018 China Championship and made his debut at the Crucible Theatre for the World Championship in 2019.
The 2021–22 season marked his major breakthrough. He won his first ranking and Triple Crown title at the 2021 UK Championship, defeating Luca Brecel 10–5 in the final. This victory propelled him into the world’s top 16 for the first time. He continued his stellar form by winning the 2022 German Masters with a stunning 9–0 whitewash of his compatriot Yan Bingtao in the final, a rare feat in a two-session ranking final. He reached a career-high ranking of world number six in May 2022. However, his professional career was abruptly halted in January 2023 when he was suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) as part of a wider match-fixing investigation involving ten Chinese players. Following a disciplinary tribunal, he was banned from competition. His suspension, initially longer, was reduced to 20 months following his cooperation and early admission.
Upon the expiration of his ban in September 2024, Zhao embarked on a remarkable path to redemption. He entered the amateur Q Tour to regain his professional status and dominated the circuit, winning four consecutive events and making two maximum 147 breaks. This exceptional performance secured his return to the professional tour for the 2025–26 season. As an amateur, he qualified for the main stage of the 2025 World Snooker Championship. In a stunning run at the Crucible, he defeated several top players, including a dominant 17-7 victory over his idol and seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals. He then triumphed over three-time champion Mark Williams 18–12 in the final to become the first player from China and Asia to win the World Snooker Championship. This historic achievement also made him the first amateur player to win the prestigious title.
Zhao Xintong Personal Life & Family
Zhao Xintong’s personal life remains relatively private, though some details about his family and relationships have been shared publicly. He is the only child of Zhao Xiaowei and Wen Anxiao. Both of his parents work in the medical field; his father is a hospital vice-president, and his mother is a nurse. They were instrumental in his early career, providing significant support by installing a snooker table in their home and allowing him to leave formal education to focus on his snooker training. In interviews, Zhao has expressed immense gratitude for their sacrifices and belief in his dream. After becoming world champion in 2025, he publicly thanked his parents for their support. In the same emotional speech, he also mentioned and thanked his girlfriend, Victoria. To pursue his professional career, Zhao, like many other Chinese snooker players, relocated to Sheffield, England, which is considered the heartland of the sport and home to the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre. He trains at Victoria’s Snooker Academy, which is a short distance from the famed venue.
Awards and Achievements of Zhao Xintong
- 2025 World Snooker Champion
- 2022 German Masters Champion
- 2021 UK Champion
- Winner of four consecutive Q Tour events (2024-2025)
- First player to make a maximum break on the Q Tour
- 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games – Gold (Singles)
- 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games – Bronze (Team)
- Runner-up in the World Amateur Championship (2013, 2015)
Zhao Xintong Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Zhao Xintong’s net worth is estimated to be around £1.5 million. His primary sources of income are prize money from snooker tournaments and endorsements. His career prize money saw a significant boost during his breakout 2021-22 season. The most substantial single prize of his career came from his historic victory at the 2025 World Snooker Championship, where he pocketed the winner’s cheque of £500,000. However, due to being based in the UK, a significant portion of this prize money was subject to taxes and National Insurance contributions, with estimates suggesting he took home around £276,090. His triumphant return to the sport and his status as China’s first snooker world champion are expected to significantly increase his marketability and lead to lucrative sponsorship and endorsement deals, particularly in China where snooker is immensely popular. His comeback has already substantially increased his tournament earnings for the season.
Legacy and Influence
Zhao Xintong’s legacy is already multifaceted, defined by his extraordinary talent, historic achievements, and a story of redemption. He is hailed as a trailblazer for Chinese and Asian snooker, becoming the first player from the continent to lift the World Snooker Championship trophy. This victory is seen as a monumental moment for the sport, potentially inspiring a new generation of players in China, a country with a massive following for snooker. His attacking, free-flowing style of play has drawn comparisons to legends of the game like Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry, with O’Sullivan himself once stating that Zhao “could be the greatest of all time with his talent” and likening him to “Roger Federer with a snooker cue”. His journey, which includes the adversity of a suspension and a triumphant return to the pinnacle of the sport, adds a dramatic and human element to his public image, showcasing resilience and dedication. Many pundits and fellow players believe his success marks the arrival of a new superstar who could dominate the sport for years to come.
Interesting Facts about Zhao Xintong
- As a child, Zhao was not tall enough to properly reach the snooker table, so he practiced while wearing roller skates, which helped him move around the table quickly.
- He is nicknamed “The Cyclone” due to his fast-paced and attacking style of play.
- Ronnie O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion, has served as a mentor to Zhao, practicing with him and offering advice.
- He became the first amateur player in history to win the World Snooker Championship in 2025.
- In his victory at the 2022 German Masters, he defeated Yan Bingtao 9-0, becoming only the third player to win a two-session ranking final without conceding a frame.
- During his comeback on the amateur Q Tour, he won four consecutive tournaments and made two maximum 147 breaks.
- His parents initially wanted him to focus on his studies before he convinced them of his unwavering dedication to a career in snooker.
Controversies
In January 2023, Zhao Xintong’s burgeoning career was embroiled in a major controversy when he was suspended from the World Snooker Tour. He was one of ten Chinese players implicated in a wide-ranging investigation into match-fixing and breaches of betting regulations conducted by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA). The independent disciplinary commission’s report, released in June 2023, found that Zhao had not fixed any matches himself. However, he was found to have been a party to fixing two matches involving his friend and fellow player Yan Bingtao in March 2022, and he also admitted to placing bets on snooker matches, which is strictly prohibited for professional players. The commission noted that he had tried to dissuade Yan from match-fixing and had expressed genuine remorse for his actions. His initial suspension was reduced to 20 months due to his early admissions and cooperation with the investigation. Zhao later publicly expressed his regret, stating, “I have been thoroughly regretting my ignorance and silliness… I feel ashamed as I disappointed everybody by making a mistake.”
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not disclosed
- Twitter – Information not disclosed
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Final Words about Zhao Xintong
Zhao Xintong’s journey in the world of professional snooker is a testament to his exceptional talent and profound resilience. From a young prodigy practicing on roller skates to becoming China’s first World Snooker Champion, his career has been nothing short of cinematic. The suspension he served could have derailed his career, but instead, it appears to have fortified his resolve. His dominant return on the Q Tour and his subsequent historic victory at the Crucible in 2025 have not only redeemed his career but have also positioned him at the forefront of a new era for snooker. With his prime years still ahead of him, the snooker world watches with anticipation to see how many more chapters Zhao Xintong will write in the sport’s history books. His story of a fall from grace and a spectacular rise back to the top serves as a powerful narrative of second chances and the fulfillment of immense potential.