Yan Bingtao

Yan Bingtao, born on February 16, 2000, is a notable Chinese snooker player who made headlines for both his remarkable achievements and his recent controversies. He first gained international recognition at the tender age of fourteen when he won the ISBF World Snooker Championship in 2014, becoming the youngest player to ever claim the title.

Turning professional in 2016, Yan quickly established himself in the competitive world of snooker. At just seventeen years and two hundred eighty-four days old, he became the youngest player to reach a ranking final during the 2017 Northern Ireland Open, where he faced off against the seasoned Mark Williams, ultimately losing in a nail-biting deciding frame.

Yan's career reached new heights when he secured his first ranking title at the 2019 Riga Masters, joining the ranks of fellow Chinese players Ding Junhui and Liang Wenbo as a winner of a ranking event. His prowess continued to shine as he made his Masters debut in 2021, defeating John Higgins in the final to capture his first Triple Crown title, making him the youngest Masters winner since Ronnie O'Sullivan in 1995.

However, Yan's promising career faced a significant setback in December 2022 when the WPBSA suspended him amid a match-fixing investigation. Following a thorough review by an independent disciplinary tribunal, he was handed a five-year ban from professional competition, which will last until December 11, 2027.