Raise the cue and celebrate! China’s snooker champ Xiao Guodong made history on Thursday at the 2025 Chengdu World Games, winning the first men’s snooker gold ever for Team China. Facing off against Cyprus’s Michael Georgiou, Xiao triumphed 2-1 in a nail-biter final. 🎱🏆
At 36, Xiao took a bold path: he skipped the Saudi Arabia Masters to focus on the World Games. He set the pace with a powerful 53-39 win in the opening frame. But Georgiou answered back with a slick century break in frame two, leveling the match 1-1.
The decider had all the drama: Xiao raced ahead 57-32, then committed a foul that handed Georgiou six extra points thanks to an expert black-ball play. In true champion style, Xiao regrouped and sunk the pink to seal the victory and top the podium. 💥
After the win, Xiao shared, “I’m so glad for the victory. We trained hard for a month, and every player did an excellent job in Chengdu. I felt the pressure in the first and final matches, but our efforts paid off.”
This golden moment not only highlights Xiao’s skill but also shines a spotlight on China’s growing presence in cue sports. Fans, lock in your calendars—this is just the beginning! 🌟
Reference(s):
Xiao Guodong wins first snooker title for China at Chengdu World Games
cgtn.com
