Zhao Xintong becomes first Asian world snooker champion amidst match-fixing scandal

In an extraordinary event in Sheffield, England, Zhao Xintong of China was crowned the World Snooker Champion, marking a significant milestone as the first Asian to achieve this title. Zhao secured his victory by defeating Mark Williams with a score of 18-12 in the final match. This remarkable achievement followed Zhao's turbulent past, which included a 20-month suspension due to involvement in a match-fixing scandal involving 10 Chinese players. His journey back to the professional circuit involved overcoming significant obstacles, including qualifying through four rounds to enter the main tournament, where he notably bested snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semifinals. The match was watched by an estimated audience of over 150 million live streams in China, demonstrating the massive popularity of snooker in the region, which represents more than 50% of the sport's global audience. Zhao's success not only reignited interest in snooker within China but also emerged at a time when the sport faced scrutiny due to the fixing scandal. Supporters hailed his victory as a revitalizing moment for Chinese snooker and a source of national pride, further establishing him as a role model for aspiring players in the country. Prior to Zhao's win, the sport had been predominantly dominated by British players. However, Zhao's remarkable turnaround and triumph signal a growing influence of Chinese players in the realm of professional snooker. In recent years, snooker has seen an uptick in its popularity in China, illustrated by the number of Chinese players navigating through competitive rounds and achieving success on an international stage. As the snooker community witnesses this change, figures within the sport suggest that Zhao's victory could enhance the prominence of snooker in China, potentially leading to a new generation of talent aspiring to follow in his footsteps. Zhao's achievement at such a critical time serves as a reminder of the resilience and potential of Chinese athletes in overcoming adversity in sports, and it may have positive repercussions for bilateral relations between China and Britain in the context of sports diplomacy.