Unsurprisingly, Zhao Xintong has been the main topic of conversation since he became the first Chinese world snooker champion on Monday in Sheffield.
The 28 year-old sealed a famous triumph with an 18-12 defeat of Mark Williams in the final at the Crucible Theatre.
Zhao, participating as an amateur having been granted a spot in the draw through his performances on the Q Tour circuit, collected the champion’s cheque worth £500,000.
That allows him to immediately shoot back up the official world rankings list, with the Cyclone set to start next season just outside the top ten in 11th.
Considering he will have no points to defend during the 2025/26 campaign, it’s likely that he will soon be challenging for positions even higher up the ladder.
There has been some controversy surrounding WST and WPBSA’s handling of the situation surrounding Zhao’s instant inclusion on the ranking list following his return to the sport from a ban.
But overall, reaction to the former UK champion’s comeback success has been positive with plenty of other players taking the opportunity to offer their plaudits.
“Congratulations Xintong!” 2010 world champion Neil Robertson wrote on social media platform X.
“Great effort from Mark who came through a gruelling half of the draw. It must be said, it’s going to be incredibly exciting to see what impact this will have on snooker in China!”
These were sentiments shared by Mark Allen, who thinks that everyone in the sport could be set to reap the rewards of a Chinese victory at the World Championship.
“Huge congratulations to Zhao,” the world number ten said. “Ridiculous display of potting and calmness the whole event.”
“This could really open up a lot more doors for our sport. Exciting times. Enjoy the celebrations.”
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry suggested on the Snooker Club podcast that Zhao’s victory might have left countryman Ding Junhui “fuming”.
Ding burst onto the scene in 2005 with victory over Hendry in the China Open final as a teenager, sparking the initial boom in interest for snooker in the country.
For many years, it had been expected that he would be the player to break the World Championship duck for China.
A national hero, Ding reached the world final in 2016 where he lost to Mark Selby, but his Crucible career has been blighted by disappointing results overall.
Still, the 38 year-old, who inspired generations of Chinese players to pick up a cue, was quick to show his support to Zhao after the final.
“Today Zhao Xintong did it! What he won is the shared dream of generations of Chinese snooker players,” the former world number one wrote on Weibo.
“I’m happy for you and proud of the rise of Chinese strength!”
Williams, meanwhile, likened Zhao to Ronnie O’Sullivan and believes that he could mirror the Rocket’s global impact on the game.
“He is as good to watch as O’Sullivan was when he was younger,” said Williams, who was the oldest player to reach a World Championship final at 50.
“He just strolls around the table and pots balls from anywhere as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.”
“Xintong is going to be a national hero now. He’ll be on the front page of every news outlet going and I’m sure there are Chinese companies ready to throw zillions at him.
“It’s great for our sport to have someone at the top who is so attacking and so young.”
Before overcoming three-time former champion Williams in the final, Zhao emerged from ties with Jak Jones, Lei Peifan, and Chris Wakelin at the Crucible Theatre.
That took him to a semi-final showdown with O’Sullivan, and there was a changing of the guard of sorts as Zhao thrashed his esteemed opponent with a session to spare.
Ironically, his sternest challenge across the entire event probably transpired in the qualifying competition.
After a hat-trick of victories in the preliminary phase at the English Institute of Sport, Zhao faced Elliot Slessor in the final round known as Judgement Day.
A cracking match saw both players compile three century breaks and Zhao just about pipping the Englishman with a 10-8 scoreline.
“I said it then and will say it again,” Slessor posted on X. “I’ve played them all (and) nobody pots balls like this kid.
“The consistency in the long game and to make tough shots look easy is staggering. Congratulations to Xintong and Victoria’s Snooker Academy. Incredible stuff.”
And what of the main man himself? After a night full of celebrations, had reality sunk in?
“It’s still amazing, I still can’t believe it. I couldn’t sleep last night,” a beaming Zhao Xintong told the World Snooker Tour on Tuesday.
“I had an amazing time, and it’s still unbelievable. It’s a huge moment for my career and for my life, so I’m so proud of myself.”
Featured photo credit: WST
This will be slightly controversial for some as it could look if I’m downplaying Zhao’s triumph, but I felt Judd Trump was the best player in this year’s World Championship.
The world number one produced a greater amount of world class snooker than the winner who did benefit from largely poor displays from his last three opponents. Conversely, Trump produced outstanding snooker to repel excellent displays by Shaun Murphy and Luca Brecel. His level dropped a little against Mark Williams and the Welshman was marginally superior in terms of long potting and safety.
Zhao won the final with few very breaks that came from his first scoring visit. His best stuff was in the opening round and the second session of his semi-final.
The fact Trump posted 14 centuries, five more than any other player, offers some validity to my opinion. Zhao’s Crucible tally of six centuries was the lowest from a champion since Graeme Dott made one in 2006.
Zhao did make 18 centuries in the World Championship as a whole, equalling Ding’s record, from 2016, of the most centuries compiled in a single edition.