A Journey of 20 Years to the Top
28-year-old Zhao Xintong's rise to snooker stardom is a tale of determination and grit 🌟. Starting his journey at the tender age of eight, his coach quickly noticed his uncanny accuracy and talent, hinting he might be one of the best of his age.
Within just five years, Zhao was already making headlines as the runner-up at the Chinese national youth tournament. His breakthrough came in 2010 with his first title in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, setting the stage for a promising career.
Turning professional in 2016, Zhao faced his fair share of challenges. His aggressive, sometimes inconsistent playing style led to two relegations. Yet, every setback only fueled his determination to come back stronger 💪.
The turning point arrived in 2021 when Zhao stunned the snooker world by defeating top rivals such as John Higgins, Jack Lisowski, Barry Hawkins, and Luca Brecel in the UK Championship final. A year later, his victory over Yan Bingtao at the German Masters pushed him into the world No. 9 spot.
In 2023, Zhao encountered his toughest challenge when a 20-month suspension due to a match-fixing scandal sidelined him. Rather than breaking his spirit, this period taught him humility and the true meaning of snooker.
September 2024 marked his triumphant return. Zhao clinched three consecutive Q-Tour titles and secured qualification for the World Championship. At the iconic Crucible Theater, he dispatched formidable opponents including Jak Jones, his compatriot Lei Peifan, Chris Wakelin, Ronnie O'Sullivan, and finally, Mark Williams to lift the trophy.
Now celebrated as Asia's first snooker world champion, Zhao Xintong's story is a powerful reminder: hard work and resilience can turn any setback into a winning moment 🌍🔥.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
