Zhao Xintong defeated Mark Williams to become the new snooker world champion.
The new snooker world champion Zhao Xintong thanked his parents and girlfriend in an emotional speech after defeating Mark Williams in the Crucible showpiece. He became the first-ever amateur winner and the only player from China to lift the title, having dominated his veteran opponent 18-12 to bank a whopping £500,00 cash prize.
His tournament began on April 7, having come through four rounds of qualifying to just reach the first round of the tournament. But he beat Jak Jones, Lei Peifan, Chris Wakelin, Ronnie O’Sullivan and then Williams to make history in Sheffield and needed an incredible 111 total frames to do so.
Mark Williams tears up at Crucible as ‘new superstar’ Zhao Xintong wins title
And he had a message for his family, girlfriend and supporters back in his homeland, telling BBC host Hazel Irvine: “Thank you, thank you, many thank you. My mum, my parents, Victoria my girlfriend and my coach when I was young, thank you, thank you to the WST (World Snooker Tour), thank you CPBSA academy where I was practising. Thank you.”
Having inspired many in China, where more academies are being opened consistently to capitalise on the sport’s boom, he was asked how many more world champions are there in waiting.
But Zhao could only reply: “I did this. I can’t believe what I’ve done in this month.”
He added: “It’s very exciting. Thank you. I was so nervous tonight. Mark is still a top player and put me under so much pressure. He’s the best. I’m not tired. I’ll maybe have a good drink tonight.”
Williams was typically gracious in defeat, praising Zhao even during the match, before going on to enthuse about the spectacle he witnessed up close in the Steel City.
“It’s been a brilliant tournament for me,” the 50-year-old said. “The support I’ve had for the past two weeks has been unbelievable.
“But what a potter Zhao is. I’m glad I’ll be too old when he’s dominating the game. I’ve got nothing but admiration for what he’s done, coming through the qualifiers. He hasn’t played for two years, bashed everybody up. There’s a new superstar of the game.”
