Full name: Zhao Xintong
Birth date: 3rd April 1997
Born in: Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China (raised in Shenzhen)

Nickname: Zhao ‘THE CYCLONE’ Xintong

Known for: Devastating long potting, fluid break-building, making history as China’s first World Champion.

Zhao Xintong was born on 3 April 1997 in Xi’an and raised in Shenzhen. Nicknamed ‘The Cyclone’ for his rapid scoring and effortless shot-making, he is a Chinese professional Snooker Player. He made history in 2025 by becoming the first Asian and Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship, defeating Mark Williams in the final. This historic win, combined with his 2021 UK Championship title, makes him a multi-time Triple Crown winner with career earnings exceeding 1.5 Million GBP.

Zhao has reached a career-high world ranking of No. 6 and currently sits at No. 7 as of early 2026. He has won a total of 4 ranking titles and has compiled over 210 competitive century breaks, including his first official maximum 147 in early 2026. Regarded by legends like Ronnie O’Sullivan as a “superstar,” Zhao is celebrated for a playing style that combines technical precision with a calm, unflappable demeanor.

MORE ON ZHAO XINTONG, SCORES, RESULTS, EVENTS AND TOURNAMENTS.

Zhao’s breakthrough into the professional consciousness began as a teenager in China, where he was identified as a child prodigy. He first gained international attention by defeating former world champions like Ken Doherty and Steve Davis in wildcard rounds of major Chinese tournaments before officially turning professional in 2016 at the age of 19.

His rise to the top of the game was punctuated by a sensational victory at the 2021 UK Championship. Zhao produced a masterclass of attacking snooker to defeat Luca Brecel 10–5 in the final, becoming the first player born in the 1990s to win a Triple Crown event. He quickly followed this with a 9–0 whitewash of Yan Bingtao to win the 2022 German Masters, proving his status as one of the game’s elite scorers.

However, Zhao’s career faced a significant interruption when he was suspended for 20 months following a match-fixing investigation. While it was found he did not fix matches himself, he admitted to being a party to another player’s actions and cooperated fully with the investigation. He described the period away from the table as a time of reflection that taught him humility and a deeper appreciation for the sport.

Returning to competition in September 2024, Zhao was forced to rebuild his career from the amateur ranks. He dominated the Q Tour, winning four consecutive events to secure his return to the professional circuit for the 2025/26 season. His comeback reached a fairytale peak at the 2025 World Championship, where he entered as an amateur qualifier and dismantled icons like Ronnie O’Sullivan on his way to the final.

In a landmark final at the Crucible, Zhao defeated Mark Williams 18–12 to become the first amateur ever to lift the trophy in its 98-year history. The victory sparked national celebration in China, fulfilling the dream that had long been held by fans of Chinese snooker. Williams later praised Zhao as “probably the best potter I have ever seen.”

As of early 2026, Zhao has continued his dominant form, capturing his fourth ranking title at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong by defeating Zhang Anda 10–6. With his return to the world’s top 10 confirmed and a record-breaking 2025/26 season underway, Zhao Xintong stands as the leading figure of a new era in global snooker.

(Source: Wikipedia).

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