“The Cyclone”

Zhao Xintong

Zhao Xintong
Nationality
China
Date of birth
03 APR 1997
Turned pro
2016
Highest achievement
2025 World Snooker Championship
Current world ranking
1

Profile

Zhao was first noticed by leading pros during his early teens when he played in exhibition matches and as a wild card at ranking events in China, and he was quickly earmarked as a potential superstar. Progression was slow during his early years on tour, then Zhao made his huge breakthrough at the 2021 UK Championship when he won his first ranking title, beating Luca Brecel in the final. A few months later he doubled his tally at the 2022 German Masters. And a truly historic achievement followed for Zhao at the 2025 World Championship when, age 28, he became the first Chinese player to conquer the Crucible, beating Mark Williams 18-12 in the final. The sky is now the limit for this outstanding talent known for his devastating long potting and break-building.

Career history

  1. 2026
    Makes his first official 147 at the Championship League. Wins his fourth ranking title at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong, making five centuries in the final as he beats Zhang Anda 10-6. Then makes it back-to-back titles by winning the Players Championship with a 10-7 final defeat of John Higgins. Goes on to become the first man to win all three events in the Players Series in the same season by beating Judd Trump 10-3 in the final of the Tour Championship. In the semi-finals he beat John Higgins 10-1, the heaviest defeat in Higgins' 34-year career.
  2. 2025
    Registers a seismic moment in snooker history as the first Chinese player to conquer the Crucible, beating Mark Williams 18-12 in the final of the World Championship. Having won four matches just to make it to the Crucible, Zhao joins Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy as the only qualifiers to lift the trophy. Across the event he wins nine matches and 111 frames, becoming the 24th player and first Asian to win the title at the Crucible. Williams says: “We have a new superstar. It's what snooker needed. He is probably the best potter I have ever seen.” Wins the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship in Saudi Arabia, beating Neil Robertson 5-2 in the final.
  3. 2022
    Doubles his tally of ranking titles by winning the German Masters. Beats Yan Bingtao 9-0 in the final, becoming only the third player to whitewash his opponent in a two-session ranking event final. Wins a match at the Crucible for the first time, beating Jamie Clarke before losing to Stephen Maguire. Finishes the season ranked sixth in the world.
  4. 2021
    Enjoys a huge breakthrough at the UK Championship, winning his first ranking title and first Triple Crown success. Beats the likes of John Higgins and Barry Hawkins to reach the final, before a 10-5 victory over Luca Brecel.
  5. 2019
    Makes his Crucible debut having won three qualifying matches, and leads Mark Selby 5-1 in the last 32 only to lose 10-7.
  6. 2018
    Having dropped off the pro tour, immediately regains his place via Q School. Reaches his first ranking event semi-final at the China Championship, beating the likes of Mark Williams and Barry Hawkins.
  7. 2017
    Reaches the last 16 of both the German Masters and Paul Hunter Classic.
  8. 2016
    Joins the tour for the first time, having finished runner-up in the World Amateur Championship.