Who is Zhao Xintong?
Zhao Xintong is a snooker player from China who made history by becoming China’s first world snooker champion. He won the championship after defeating Mark Williams in a thrilling final at the Crucible.
Why did Zhao Xintong serve a 20-month ban from the sport?
Zhao Xintong served a 20-month ban from the sport after being caught up in a match-fixing scandal. He admitted to being involved in fixing or contriving to fix two matches involving his compatriot Yan Bingtao, a former Masters winner. Zhao was found to be in breach of regulations related to match-fixing and betting on snooker matches. Despite expressing contrition for his involvement, he was suspended from the sport for 20 months and had to pay costs for his part in the operation.
After his ban expired, Zhao returned to snooker and went on to win the world championship, making history as the first Chinese player to do so. His triumph has been seen as a redemption story, but some may still view it as tainted due to his past involvement in the match-fixing scandal.
His performances have earned him a lot of praise from fellow professionals, with many tipping him for future success in the sport. Wu Yize is definitely a player to watch out for in the coming years.
Lei Peifan
Lei Peifan, also known as Peter, is another young Chinese player making waves in the snooker world. The 22-year-old has had a breakout season, reaching his first ranking final at the Scottish Open where he defeated the likes of Judd Trump and Mark Selby on his way to the title match.
His success has put him on the map as one of the rising stars in snooker, and many believe he has the potential to become a top player in the future.
The future of snooker
With players like Zhao Xintong, Wu Yize, and Lei Peifan leading the charge, it’s clear that the future of snooker is bright. The emergence of these young Chinese talents is a testament to the global appeal of the sport and the growing talent pool around the world.
As the sport continues to evolve and attract new fans and players from different countries, we can expect to see more exciting talent emerging on the professional circuit. The next generation of snooker stars is here, and they are ready to take the sport to new heights.