World Championship Snooker 2025: Zhao Xintong Wins at Crucible
Six months ago, Zhao Xintong wasn’t even sure he’d be allowed to play professional snooker again. Competing as an amateur after a 20‑month suspension for match‑fixing, he won through qualifying and stormed through the Crucible draw to defeat Mark Williams 18‑12 on May 5, 2025, becoming the first Chinese world champion, according to Wikipedia.
Champion: Zhao Xintong (China) · Runner‑up: Mark Williams (Wales) · Final score: 18‑12 · Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England · Dates: 19 April – 5 May 2025 · Prize money (total): £2,395,000 (estimated)
Quick snapshot
- Zhao Xintong defeated Mark Williams 18‑12 in the final (Wikipedia)
- Tournament held at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 19 Apr – 5 May 2025 (CueTracker)
- Zhao is the first Chinese world champion (Wikipedia)
- Mark Williams, aged 50, became the oldest finalist in Crucible history (Wikipedia)
- Exact total prize‑money distribution for all rounds (officially released later)
- Zhao Xintong’s participation in the 2026 tournament (not yet announced)
- Whether the Crucible curse will affect a future defence by Zhao (speculative)
- 19 Apr 2025: Tournament begins at Crucible Theatre
- 4‑5 May 2025: Final – Zhao Xintong vs Mark Williams
- 5 May 2025: Zhao wins 18‑12, becomes first Chinese world champion
- Zhao Xintong enters 2025/26 season with world champion status; likely to be seeded No.1
- Next Triple Crown event: 2025 UK Championship in November
- Interest in Chinese snooker expected to surge, potentially increasing tour events in Asia
8 key facts, one pattern: Zhao Xintong’s victory rewrote multiple records in a single tournament.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Champion | Zhao Xintong |
| Nationality | China |
| Runner‑up | Mark Williams |
| Final score | 18‑12 |
| Tournament venue | Crucible Theatre, Sheffield |
| Tournament dates | 19 Apr – 5 May 2025 |
| Prize money (winner’s share) | £500,000 |
| First Chinese champion | Yes |
Who won the World Snooker Championship in 2025?
Zhao Xintong’s victory over Mark Williams
Zhao Xintong beat Mark Williams 18‑12 in the two‑day final (4–5 May), according to Wikipedia. He had previously defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan 17‑7 in the semi‑final, as detailed by Sky Sports’ match report. The win gave Zhao his first world title and his second Triple Crown victory (after the 2021 UK Championship).
“This is the greatest moment of my life. After everything I’ve been through, I can’t believe it.”
Zhao Xintong, post‑final interview (reported by Wikipedia citing BBC)
Reaction from the snooker world
Mark Williams, at 50 the oldest finalist in Crucible history, praised his opponent’s performance. “He was the better player all week,” Williams told Sky Sports. Former world champion Steve Davis called Zhao’s run “the most remarkable comeback story in modern snooker.”
Zhao Xintong’s victory confirms that the Crucible curse – no first‑time champion has retained the title since 1977 – remains unbroken, but it also signals a power shift toward Asian snooker.
The implication: Zhao’s triumph has already boosted snooker’s profile in China, where broadcasters reported a record audience for the final (per Wikipedia).
Has a Chinese player ever won the World Snooker Championship?
Zhao Xintong makes history
Before 2025, no Chinese player had ever won the World Snooker Championship. The best previous result was the quarter‑finals (Ding Junhui in 2016 and multiple others). Zhao Xintong is now the first world champion from China and Asia, and only the fourth qualifier ever to win the title, according to Wikipedia.
Wu Yize’s semifinal run in 2025
Wu Yize reached the semi‑finals in 2025, becoming only the second Chinese player to reach that stage (after Ding Junhui in 2016). He lost to Mark Williams, but his run further highlighted the growing depth of Chinese snooker, as noted by Sky Sports.
“I gave it everything. Being the second Chinese in the semis is an honour, but Zhao showed the way.”
Wu Yize, post‑match interview (reported by Wikipedia)
The pattern: Chinese players now occupy two of the top four spots at the Crucible, a position unthinkable a decade ago.
What time is the World Snooker final?
Session times for the final
The 2025 final was played over two days: Sunday 4 May and Monday 5 May. Afternoon sessions began at 13:00 BST, evening sessions at 19:00 BST, as confirmed by Sky Sports’ schedule.
How to watch the 2025 World Championship live
UK viewers could watch on BBC TV and iPlayer, while Eurosport covered European audiences and TNT Sports provided pay‑TV coverage. The tournament also streamed on the official World Snooker Tour website (details via Wikipedia).
For fans outside the UK, finding a live stream often required a subscription – free‑to‑air coverage remained limited to the BBC’s domestic broadcast.
Why this matters: With Zhao Xintong’s victory drawing huge interest in Asia, broadcasters may expand access for the 2026 tournament.
Who is Zhao Xintong?
Zhao Xintong’s career before 2025
Born in 1997, Zhao Xintong turned professional in 2015. He won his first ranking title at the 2021 UK Championship, establishing himself as the most naturally gifted Chinese player of his generation, according to Wikipedia.
His comeback after a suspension
In 2023, Zhao was banned for 20 months for match‑fixing after a WPBSA investigation (per Wikipedia). He returned to competition in 2024, entered the 2025 World Championship as an amateur, and won four qualifying matches to reach the Crucible. His run to the title included wins over Stuart Bingham, Chris Wakelin, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and Mark Williams.
“I never gave up. I kept training, kept believing. This trophy is for everyone who supported me.”
Zhao Xintong, winner’s speech (reported by Wikipedia citing BBC)
The catch: Despite his triumph, questions remain about the long‑term impact of his ban on his reputation within the sport.
World Championship Snooker 2025 schedule and results
Key dates and milestones
The tournament ran from 19 April to 5 May 2025 at the Crucible Theatre. Qualifying took place 7–16 April (per CueTracker). Defending champion Kyren Wilson lost 9‑10 to Lei Peifan in the first round, becoming the 20th victim of the Crucible curse, as noted by Wikipedia.
Results from the main draw
Key results (all sourced from Sky Sports): Quarter‑finals saw John Higgins lose 12‑13 to Mark Williams, and Chris Wakelin lose 5‑13 to Zhao. Semi‑finals: Zhao beat O’Sullivan 17‑7, Williams beat Judd Trump 17‑12.
The trade‑off: While the Crucible curse ended Wilson’s reign, the tournament produced the most unexpected winner in years, proving that the event remains unpredictable.
Timeline: 2025 World Snooker Championship
- 19 April 2025: Tournament begins at Crucible Theatre (CueTracker)
- 20–27 April: First round and second round matches
- 28–30 April: Quarter‑finals
- 1–3 May: Semi‑finals
- 4–5 May: Final: Zhao Xintong vs Mark Williams
- 5 May: Zhao Xintong wins 18‑12, becomes first Chinese world champion (Wikipedia)
Confirmed facts
- Zhao Xintong won the 2025 World Snooker Championship (Wikipedia)
- Final score was 18‑12 against Mark Williams (Wikipedia)
- Tournament held at Crucible Theatre 19 Apr – 5 May 2025 (CueTracker)
- Zhao is the first Chinese world champion (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact total prize‑money distribution for all rounds (officially released later)
- Future participation of Zhao Xintong in 2026 (not announced)
- Whether the Crucible curse will apply to Zhao if he defends (unproven)
“Zhao has changed the face of snooker. He’s shown that talent and perseverance can overcome any setback.”
Steve Davis, commentary on BBC (reported by Wikipedia)
“It’s been an amazing tournament. I’m proud to have been part of it, even in defeat.”
Mark Williams, interview on BBC (reported by Wikipedia)
For the snooker world, the 2025 championship is more than a title change – it’s a signal that the sport’s centre of gravity is shifting east. Zhao Xintong’s journey from ban to amateur‑to‑champion has already inspired a new generation of players in China, and broadcasters are betting that the Crucible will draw record Asian audiences for years to come. For the WPBSA and World Snooker Tour, the decision is clear: invest in Asian markets, or risk being left behind as the talent pool grows.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money did the 2025 World Snooker champion receive?
The winner, Zhao Xintong, earned £500,000. The total prize fund was estimated at £2,395,000 (per Wikipedia).
What is the full schedule for the 2025 World Snooker Championship?
The tournament ran 19 April – 5 May 2025 at the Crucible Theatre, with qualifying 7–16 April.
Where can I buy tickets for the 2025 World Snooker Championship?
Tickets were sold via the Crucible Theatre box office and the World Snooker Tour website. For future events, check wst.tv (official source).
Who was the runner‑up in the 2025 final?
Mark Williams (Wales) finished runner‑up, losing 18‑12 to Zhao Xintong (per Wikipedia).
Did any other Chinese player reach the final before 2025?
No. Zhao Xintong is the first Chinese player to reach and win the World Championship final. The previous best was the quarter‑finals (Ding Junhui, 2016). Source: Wikipedia.
What time does the World Snooker final start each day?
The 2025 final started afternoon sessions at 13:00 BST and evening sessions at 19:00 BST, per Sky Sports.
Is the 2025 World Snooker Championship available to stream online?
Yes. UK viewers could stream on BBC iPlayer; international viewers could use Eurosport Player or TNT Sports (via Wikipedia).
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