This video can not be played Zhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights Within minutes of becoming China's trailblazing world snooker champion, Zhao Xintong was draped in his country's flag as he started to take in the enormity of his achievement. Zhaodefeated three-time winner Mark Williams 18-12on Mondayto become the first Asian player and amateur to triumph at the Crucible. Williams called the 28-year-old a "superstar", and Jason Ferguson - chairman of the sport's governing body - said Zhao was set to take snooker "to another level". "We are talking about a national hero - he has entered the history books of this sport and in China he will probably be one of the biggest stars there, " Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) told BBC Sport. "Snooker is so big in China. He is young, talented and entertaining and speaks both English and Mandarin. This is going to take snooker to another level. "China loves its heroes and winners. Some countries back underdogs but in China they really celebrate their champions. He has the ability to become the most popular sporting star in the country." The 28-year-old also became only the third qualifier after Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy to capture snooker's biggest prize since the tournament moved to Sheffield in 1977. His achievement is all the more extraordinary given he only returned from a 20-month suspension earlier this season after being one of10 players from China sanctioned in a match-fixing scandal. However, he carried over the scintillating form he has shown all season on the amateur Q Tour and remarkably became the first player to come through four qualifying matches and then lift the trophy at snooker's most famous venue. After the final Williams said: "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." Zhao's success completes a double for the country, which has more than 300,000 snooker clubs for its population of 1.4 billion. Bai Yulu was the first Chinese winner of the women's world championship in 2024 and will defend her title in her homeland this month. May Zhao, who is in Sheffield to report for the International Sport Press Association, added: "Zhao's victory is not only a personal triumph but also a historic breakthrough for Chinese snooker. "I think he will be given a huge reception when he returns to the country and this win is sure to inspire the younger generation in China and drive the development of the country's training system and structure. "It has the potential to reshape the commercial landscape of the game. He is not just a champion - he is a trailblazer for a new era of Chinese snooker." Zhao celebrates his historic win with the Chinese flag While a record 10 Chinese players qualified for the televised stage of the World Championship this year, prior to the start of the tournament only four, Ding Junhui (sixth), Zhang Anda (11th), Xiao Guodong (12th) and Si Jiahui (14th) sat inside the game's elite top 16. It should also be noted that the top five players in the world are all British, and that world number one Judd Trump and 13th-ranked Shaun Murphy won the two other Triple Crown events - the UK Championship and the Masters. Indeed, Trump and 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson won seven major finals between them this season, while until Monday evening Chinese success has been limited to two events on home soil and Lei Peifan's win in the Scottish Open. Yet Zhao's achievement, which will parachute him in at number 11 in the world rankings, feels like a seismic and long-awaited moment for the sport. Snooker has appeared ready to embrace an Asian champion ever since a shy Ding Junhui defeated seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry to win the 2005 China Open, two days after his 18th birthday. That contest was watched by a reported television audience of 110 million in the country and since then, Ding, who lost the 2016 world final 18-14 to Mark Selby, has long been the flagbearer for Chinese snooker in a period when its popularity has exploded. John Parrott, who won the world title at the Crucible in 1991, said: "We have been talking about it for years and years. "Ding has been close and a real ambassador for China, but Zhao being in the final means the viewing figures will be off the charts. Just imagine what it will do for the game over there." Chinese players will account for five of the top 16 ranked players in the world at the start of next season Zhao's success is also a fillip for thosewho expect the game to be dominatedby players from the Far East over the coming years, especially given the 'Class of 92' of O'Sullivan, Williams and John Higgins, have reached or are close to, their 50th birthdays. While there is not a formal national curriculum dedicated specifically to snooker in China, the WPBSA is aware of the game being integrated into the school system through academies. "I've seen first-hand children coming into the building at 09:00 handing in their phones and then spending hours playing snooker, alongside traditional lessons," said Matt Huart, the WPBSA head of communications. The World Championship final was available to every TV household in China on CCTV5 and World Snooker expected a potential audience of up to 150 million. China is also snooker's biggest market in the television landscape, making up more than 50% of its global audience. "A lot of people have spoken about the volume of Chinese players in the later stages but if you turn the clock back 10 years this Tour was predominantly players from England and the other home nations," added Ferguson. "The tide has turned a little bit but you have to remember we are putting events on in cities over there that are half the size of the UK. It is a volume issue around clubs and participation. That means more stars are going to come through. "Snooker is in schools, it is a mainstream sport. It is something we have to fight in this country [the UK] because you don't see snooker in schools, but you can do athletics, rugby, football and all the other sports. "In China snooker is seen as being as good as Olympic sports and that is making the difference to talent pathways." Zhao Xintong has now won three ranking events
Trailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Zhao Xintong Becomes First Asian World Snooker Champion, Paving Way for Future Growth in China"
Bbc News
8.1
TruthLens AI Summary
Zhao Xintong has made history by defeating three-time champion Mark Williams 18-12 to become the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible. Celebrating his victory draped in the Chinese flag, Zhao's achievement is being hailed as a monumental moment not just for him personally, but for the sport of snooker in China. Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, noted that Zhao is poised to become a national hero and one of China's biggest sporting stars, given the country's passion for celebrating its champions. Zhao's win also marks him as the third qualifier in history to win the title since the tournament's relocation to Sheffield in 1977, a feat made even more remarkable considering he returned from a 20-month suspension earlier this season due to a match-fixing scandal. His remarkable journey through the qualifiers and his triumph at such a prestigious event signal a new era for snooker in China.
Zhao's success comes at a time when snooker is experiencing significant growth in China, with over 300,000 snooker clubs catering to a population of 1.4 billion. His victory is expected to inspire a new generation of players and could reshape the commercial landscape of the sport. While traditionally dominated by British players, the emergence of Zhao and other Chinese talents has led to an increasing presence of Asian players in the sport. Zhao's achievement, which places him at number 11 in the world rankings, is anticipated to boost viewership and participation in snooker across China. The World Championship final reached an estimated audience of 150 million, highlighting the sport's immense popularity in the country. As snooker becomes integrated more into the education system in China, the future looks bright for the sport, with Zhao leading the charge as a trailblazer for aspiring players and fans alike.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the significant achievement of Zhao Xintong, who has recently become the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship, making a notable impact on the sport's presence in China. This victory not only marks a personal milestone for Zhao but also serves a broader purpose in elevating the profile of snooker in a country where the sport is already gaining traction.
Cultural Impact and National Pride
Zhao's triumph is framed within the context of national pride, emphasizing that China celebrates its champions. This portrayal aims to resonate with the audience's sense of patriotism and excitement, suggesting that Zhao's win could inspire a new generation of players. The article's references to Zhao being a “national hero” and his potential to become a major sporting star in China are designed to foster a positive national narrative.
Sporting Legacy and Future Prospects
The mention of Zhao being the third qualifier to win the championship and overcoming a suspension due to a match-fixing scandal adds depth to his story. It highlights resilience and talent, appealing to fans who admire underdog stories and perseverance. The commentary from established figures like Mark Williams and Jason Ferguson reinforces Zhao's status and hints at a promising future for the sport, suggesting it could reach new heights in China.
Public Sentiment and Market Influence
The article may aim to generate enthusiasm around snooker, potentially influencing public sentiment and increasing interest in the sport. This could lead to greater participation at grassroots levels and possibly boost related markets, such as sports equipment and local tournaments. Zhao's bilingual abilities are also noted, indicating his potential appeal to both domestic and international audiences, which could further enhance the sport's marketability.
Trustworthiness and Manipulative Potential
While the article is largely factual regarding Zhao's achievements, it does employ language that elevates his status, which could be seen as manipulative. The focus on his "superstar" status and the potential impact on snooker in China could be interpreted as an attempt to create a specific narrative around Zhao, possibly overshadowing the complexities of his past suspension. The language used aims to inspire and uplift, which can sometimes blur the lines between objective reporting and promotional content.
Conclusion on Reliability
The piece is credible in its reporting of Zhao's victory and the surrounding context within the sport of snooker. However, the celebratory tone and emphasis on national pride can suggest an underlying agenda to promote snooker in China, potentially downplaying the challenges that still exist in the sport. Overall, while the achievements are genuine, the narrative surrounding them is crafted to inspire and engage, which can raise questions about its neutrality.