Zhao Xintong’s journey in professional snooker has been marked by both controversy and redemption. In 2023, he faced a 20-month suspension due to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. While he did not directly fix matches, Zhao admitted to aiding another player in fixing two matches and placing bets on snooker events. His suspension was later reduced from two and a half years to 20 months after he accepted the charges and cooperated with the investigation. ([The Sun][1], [BBC][2])
During his time away from the professional circuit, Zhao expressed deep remorse for his actions. He acknowledged his mistake, stating it was a result of poor judgment and a lack of understanding of the consequences. Zhao emphasized that he never attempted to manipulate any snooker games and regretted not reporting his friend’s request to the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA). He described his time away as a period of reflection and personal growth. ([Reddit][3])
Following his suspension, Zhao made a remarkable comeback. He returned to competitive play in September 2024, entering the WPBSA Q Tour as an amateur. In his first tournament back, he won the UK Snooker Championship, defeating England’s Craig Steadman 4-3 in the final. This victory marked his first tournament win since returning from his ban. ([The Sun][1], [BBC][2], [BBC][4])
Zhao’s resurgence continued as he qualified for the 2025 World Snooker Championship. Despite still being considered an amateur due to his previous suspension, he defeated veteran Mark Williams 18-12 in the final, becoming China’s first World Snooker Champion. His victory was seen as a testament to his resilience and determination to overcome past mistakes. ([The Sun][5])
While his comeback has been celebrated by many, it has also sparked controversy. Some fellow players have expressed concerns about Zhao retaining ranking points and prize money despite his amateur status. However, World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association head Jason Ferguson defended Zhao, emphasizing his compliance with disciplinary actions and efforts to rejoin the tour. ([talkSPORT][6])
Zhao Xintong’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity in sports. His journey from suspension to world champion illustrates the possibility of redemption and the impact of personal growth and accountability. While his past actions were a significant misstep, his commitment to learning from his mistakes and returning to the sport with honor has earned him a place in snooker history.
[1]: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/32748721/snooker-zhao-xintong-world-tour-card-ban/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Snooker star banned for shocking role in match-fixing scandal qualifies for World Tour after 20-month suspension”
[2]: https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/articles/c5yl1l147xlo?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Zhao Xintong set for comeback after match-fixing scandal – BBC Sport”
[3]: https://www.reddit.com/r/snooker/comments/143ofze?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Announcement from Zhao Xintong following his ban”
[4]: https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/articles/cqxry1z40djo?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Zhao Xintong wins first tournament since snooker match-fixing ban – BBC Sport”
[5]: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/34805331/zhao-xintong-wins-world-snooker-championship-ban-williams/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Zhao Xintong wins World Snooker Championship as controversial star holds off Mark Williams to become China’s first champ”
[6]: https://talksport.com/sport/3177062/zhao-xintong-prize-money-ranking-world-snooker-championship/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Snooker stars ‘up in arms’ as Zhao Xintong hit with fresh controversy”