Zhao Xintong Biography – Discover Zhao Xintong’s 2025 biography, from his World Snooker Championship win to his redemption arc. Explore his net worth, quotes, early life, and family.
Zhao Xintong, born April 3, 1997, is a Chinese snooker player who made history as Asia’s first World Snooker Champion, defeating Mark Williams 18–12 on May 5, 2025, at the Crucible Theatre, per BBC Sport (web:7). Nicknamed “The Cyclone” for his attacking style, he won the 2021 UK Championship and 2022 German Masters, per Wikipedia (web:0). Suspended in 2023 for a match-fixing scandal, he returned as an amateur, dominating the Q Tour to regain his professional tour card for 2025–26, per TotallySnookered (web:1).
His 2025 semi-final thrashing of Ronnie O’Sullivan (17–7) stunned fans, per The Guardian (web:14). This biography covers his net worth, age, quotes, early life, education, Wikipedia presence, accomplishments, family, career achievements, and awards as of May 5, 2025.
Zhao Xintong Biography
Zhao Xintong’s biography is a tale of talent, turmoil, and triumph. At 28, he became China’s first world snooker champion, per AP News (web:11). His 20-month ban for match-fixing, ending in September 2024, tested his resolve, but his 2025 Crucible victory, earning £500,000, cemented his redemption, per Sky News (web:18). From Xi’an to Sheffield, this article traces his meteoric rise.
| Field | Summary of Zhao Xintong Biography |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | Estimated at £1.5M–£2M in 2025, from winnings and endorsements, per Mabumbe (web:4). |
| Age | Born April 3, 1997; 28 in 2025; won World Championship May 2025, per BBC Sport (web:7). |
| Quotes | Known for “I can’t believe what I do” (2025), per The Guardian (web:22). |
| Early Life | Born in Xi’an, Shaanxi, China, per Wikipedia (web:0). |
| Education | Limited formal education; focused on snooker from age 10, per Mabumbe (web:4). |
| Wikipedia | Noted as 2025 World Champion, banned 2023–2024, per Wikipedia (web:0). |
| Accomplishments | Won 2025 World Championship, 2021 UK Championship, per Sky Sports (web:3). |
| Family | Parents in Xi’an; mother attended 2025 final; no spouse or children, per Sky News (web:18). |
| Career Achievements | First amateur to reach Crucible quarter-finals, won four Q Tour events, per SnookerHQ (web:19). |
| Awards | 2017 Asian Indoor Games gold; no formal awards for 2025 title, per Wikipedia (web:5). |
Key Takeaways
- First Chinese and third qualifier to win World Snooker Championship, 2025, per web:7.
- Banned 20 months (2023–2024) for match-fixing involvement, returned via Q Tour, per web:0.
- Defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan 17–7 in 2025 semi-final, per web:14.
Early Life: Xi’an Prodigy
Born April 3, 1997, in Xi’an, Shaanxi, Zhao Xintong showed snooker talent by age 10, inspired by China’s growing snooker scene, per Mabumbe (web:4). His parents supported his training, moving him to academies, per Wikipedia (web:0). In 2012, at 15, he reached the last 16 of the Zhangjiagang Open, defeating Xiao Guodong, per web:0. Steve Davis later called him “astonishingly good,” per web:5.
Education: Snooker Over School
Zhao prioritized snooker over formal education, leaving school early to train full-time, per Mabumbe (web:4). He developed his skills in Xi’an and Shenzhen academies, mentored by coaches like Mark Williams, whom he faced in 2025, per X (post:0). Claims of a university degree are unfounded, per web:0.
Career: From Ban to Glory
Early Breakthroughs
Zhao turned professional in 2016, earning the “Wildcard Menace” nickname by defeating Ken Doherty in 2013, per Wikipedia (web:8). He won the 2021 UK Championship (10–5 vs. Luca Brecel), entering the top 16, and the 2022 German Masters (9–0 vs. Yan Bingtao), per web:0. His attacking style drew comparisons to Ronnie O’Sullivan, per web:5.
Match-Fixing Ban
In January 2023, Zhao was suspended for a match-fixing scandal involving 10 Chinese players. He admitted to betting on matches and being party to fixing two matches, receiving a 20-month ban (ending September 2024), per Sky Sports (web:3). The CBSA extended his Chinese ban to July 2025, but WPBSA’s Jason Ferguson clarified this didn’t apply globally, allowing his Q Tour return, per web:8.
2025 Comeback
Zhao dominated the Q Tour, winning four events (October 2024–January 2025) and making two maximum 147 breaks, securing a 2025–26 tour card, per TotallySnookered (web:1). As an amateur, he qualified for the 2025 World Championship, defeating Elliot Slessor and becoming the first amateur to reach the quarter-finals, per SnookerHQ (web:19). His 17–7 semi-final win over O’Sullivan and 18–12 final victory over Williams (with breaks like 87) made him the first Chinese champion, per web:11.
Net Worth: Rising Riches
Zhao’s net worth is estimated at £1.5M–£2M in 2025, including £500,000 from the World Championship, £200,000 from the UK Championship, and endorsements, per Mabumbe (web:4). Claims of £5M are speculative, per web:0. He lives modestly in the UK, per Sky News (web:18).
Quotes: Humble Champion
Quotes include: “I can’t believe what I do” (2025, web:22), “Thank you to Ronnie, he’s my idol” (2025, web:14), and “I’m not tired” (2025, web:22). They reflect his humility, per X (post:5).
Accomplishments: Historic Feats
Zhao’s 2025 World Championship win, as the first amateur and third qualifier to triumph, is monumental, per web:7. He won four Q Tour events, made two Q Tour 147s, and holds titles from the 2021 UK Championship and 2022 German Masters, per web:1.
Family: Private Support
Zhao’s parents live in Xi’an; his mother attended the 2025 final with his girlfriend, per Sky News (web:18). No spouse or children are reported, and sibling details are unconfirmed, per Mabumbe (web:4). He keeps his personal life private, per web:0.
Awards and Recognition
Zhao won a 2017 Asian Indoor Games gold medal, per Wikipedia (web:5). His 2025 title earned no formal award but praise from Mark Williams, who called him a “superstar,” per web:18. X posts celebrate him as a “Chinese legend” (post:3).
Zhao in 2025: Global Star
On May 5, 2025, Zhao became Asia’s first world snooker champion, inspiring China’s 150M snooker fans, per web:22). He’s set to rejoin the professional tour in 2025–26, per web:0. X debates his ban, with some calling him a “cheater” (post:1), others a “redemption story” (post:4).
Conclusion: A Snooker Legend
Zhao Xintong’s biography weaves prodigy, scandal, and historic victory. From a £1.5M–£2M net worth to the 2025 World Championship, his journey inspires. At 28, his legacy is just beginning, per BBC Sport (web:7). His story urges us to embrace resilience.
Call to Action: Inspired by Zhao Xintong? Share this biography, follow @wwwXintongzhao on X, or watch his matches on !
FAQs About Zhao Xintong
- What is Zhao Xintong’s most famous quote?
“I can’t believe what I do” (2025) captures his awe, per The Guardian (web:22). - Where did Zhao Xintong grow up?
Born and raised in Xi’an, Shaanxi, China, per Wikipedia (web:0). - What are Zhao Xintong’s major accomplishments?
Won 2025 World Championship, 2021 UK Championship, per BBC Sport (web:7). - What is Zhao Xintong’s net worth?
Estimated at £1.5M–£2M in 2025, per Mabumbe (web:4). - What’s new for Zhao Xintong in 2025?
Became first Chinese World Snooker Champion, May 5, per AP News (web:11).
