Zhao Xintong

Zhao Xintong, born on April 3, 1997, is a distinguished Chinese professional snooker player who has made significant strides in the sport since turning professional in the 2016–17 season at the age of nineteen. His career took a remarkable turn when he clinched his first ranking title and Triple Crown title at the 2021 UK Championship, where he triumphed over Luca Brecel with a score of 10–5 in the final. This victory marked his entry into the top sixteen of the world snooker rankings for the first time.

In the following month, Zhao showcased his exceptional talent by winning the 2022 German Masters, achieving a stunning 9–0 whitewash against Yan Bingtao. This feat made him only the third player in history, following legends Steve Davis and Neil Robertson, to win a two-session ranking final without conceding a single frame.

However, Zhao's career faced a significant setback in January 2023 when he, along with several other Chinese players, was suspended by the WPBSA due to match-fixing allegations. Following an independent disciplinary tribunal, he received a twenty-month ban, resulting in the loss of his professional status on the World Snooker Tour. Upon the expiration of his ban, Zhao returned to the amateur circuit, dominating the Q Tour by winning four consecutive events and finishing at the top of the 2024–25 Q Tour Europe rankings.

His remarkable comeback continued as he entered the 2025 World Championship qualifiers as an amateur, winning four matches to reach the main stage. In a historic final, he defeated Mark Williams with a score of 18–12, securing his first world title and second Triple Crown title. This victory made him the first World Champion from Asia and the first player to win a ranking event while competing as an amateur.

Rejoining the professional tour for the 2025–26 season, Zhao continued to impress by winning the non-ranking 2025 Riyadh Season Snooker Championship and achieving his first official maximum break at the 2026 Championship League. He further solidified his status by winning ranking titles at the 2026 World Grand Prix, the 2026 Players Championship, and the 2026 Tour Championship, defeating Zhang Anda, John Higgins, and Judd Trump in the respective finals. Zhao became the first player to win all three Players Series tournaments in a single season and the third player in history to earn over one million pounds in a single season, joining the ranks of snooker greats like Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan.