Redemption. It's a heavy word, right? But for Zhao Xintong, it's the only one that fits. Most people expected a slow crawl back to the top for the Chinese star after his 20-month hiatus from the sport. They were wrong. On May 5, 2025, at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, Zhao didn’t just return; he detonated.
By the time the final pink dropped in the 30th frame, the snooker world championship 2025 results were etched in history: Zhao Xintong 18–12 Mark Williams.
Zhao became the first player from mainland China to lift the trophy. He also became only the third qualifier ever to win the title, joining the ranks of Terry Griffiths (1979) and Shaun Murphy (2005). Oh, and he did it while technically holding amateur status. Let that sink in for a second.
The Final: A Clash of Generations
The final was basically a scriptwriter’s dream. On one side, you had "The Welsh Potting Machine," Mark Williams. At 50 years old, Williams was the oldest finalist in the modern era, surpassing the legendary Ray Reardon. His eyesight might be getting a bit "blurry"—his words, not mine—but his tactical brain is still sharper than a razor.
On the other side was Zhao. 28 years old. Faster than a blink. A "new superstar," as Williams graciously called him afterwards.
The match started like a whirlwind. Zhao came out of the gates and basically didn't look back, racing to a 7–1 lead in the first session. He was potting balls from the lampshades. Two centuries in the first three frames. Williams looked shell-shocked.
Breaking Down the Scoreline
Sunday evening saw a bit of a fightback. Williams isn't a three-time champ for nothing. He clawed a few back, but Zhao still held a commanding 11–6 lead overnight.
✨ Don't miss: Seattle Seahawks Offense Rank: Why the Top-Three Scoring Unit Still Changed Everything
Monday afternoon was where Zhao really squeezed the life out of the contest. He won four of the first five frames to go 15–7 up. At that point, the Crucible crowd was whispering about a session-to-spare finish. Williams managed to dig in—winning three in a row including a gritty 73 break—to ensure we at least had an evening session.
- Final Score: Zhao Xintong 18–12 Mark Williams
- Winner’s Prize: £500,000
- Highest Break (Main Stage): Mark Allen and Jackson Page (both 147)
Honestly, watching Zhao in that final session was like watching someone play a video game on easy mode. He closed it out with a composed 110 break. Clinical.
How the Giant Fell: O'Sullivan vs. Zhao
You can't talk about the snooker world championship 2025 results without mentioning the semi-final. Ronnie O'Sullivan. The Rocket. Seven-time champ.
Zhao didn't just beat him; he dismantled him 17–7.
It was one of those rare moments where Ronnie looked human. Zhao's long potting was so relentless that O'Sullivan spent most of the match in his chair looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. Usually, when someone beats Ronnie, it’s a grind. Not this time. It was a 10-frame margin. That sort of thing just doesn't happen to O’Sullivan at the Crucible.
The Curse and the Chaos
The 2025 tournament was weird from day one. Kyren Wilson, the defending champion, walked into the arena on the first Saturday and walked straight back out. He lost 9–10 to Lei Peifan.
🔗 Read more: Seahawks Standing in the NFL: Why Seattle is Stuck in the Playoff Purgatory Middle
The "Crucible Curse"—the fact that no first-time champion has ever defended their title at this venue—claims another victim. That’s 20 players in a row now. It's becoming less of a trend and more of a law of physics at this point.
Other big names fell early too. Mark Selby lost 8–10 to Ben Woollaston in the first round. Neil Robertson went down 8–10 to Chris Wakelin. It opened the draw up like a canyon, and Zhao was the one with the map.
Maximum Magic
While Zhao was winning the trophy, others were chasing perfection. This year was insane for high breaks. We had 107 centuries at the main stage.
Jackson Page etched his name into the record books by hitting two maximum 147 breaks in the same tournament. Think about how hard that is. Most pros go their whole lives without one at the Crucible. Mark Allen also joined the 147 club during his second-round match against Chris Wakelin, pocketing a cool £40,000 bonus.
What This Means for the Rankings
Because Zhao won as an amateur (following his 20-month suspension), this win was a total reset button. He immediately re-joined the top 64 in the official world rankings, securing his professional tour card for the next two seasons.
Mark Williams, despite the loss, jumped to world number three. Not bad for a guy who’s been playing professionally since before half the current tour was born.
💡 You might also like: Sammy Sosa Before and After Steroids: What Really Happened
Judd Trump finished the season with a record 107 centuries, eclipsing Neil Robertson’s old mark of 103. Even though he lost 14–17 to Williams in the semi-finals, Trump’s season was statistically one of the best we’ve ever seen.
Beyond the Baize: Why This Matters
For years, everyone has been asking: "When will China win the big one?" Ding Junhui came close in 2016, but he couldn't cross the line. Zhao doing it now feels like the dam finally breaking.
The kid has a style that people love. He plays "joyous, bouncing snooker," as some journalists put it. He doesn't overthink. He just sees the ball and hits it. In a sport that can sometimes feel like a slow-motion chess match, Zhao is a Ferrari.
He admitted he was "so nervous" on the final night. He told the BBC he might have a "good drink" to celebrate. It was human. It was authentic. And after the betting scandal that sidelined him, it felt like he had finally paid his dues.
Actionable Insights for Snooker Fans
If you’re looking to follow the fallout of these results, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the 2026 Season Openers: Zhao is now the man with the target on his back. See how he handles the pressure of being World Champion in the early ranking events like the Championship League.
- Track the "Class of '92": Williams, O'Sullivan, and Higgins are still top-tier, but the 2025 results suggest the gap is closing. Watch their scheduling; they might play fewer events to save energy for the Triple Crown.
- Monitor the Chinese Surge: Expect players like Si Jiahui and Wu Yize to find an extra gear now that Zhao has proven the World Championship is winnable for them.
- Check the Betting Markets: Early odds for the 2026 World Championship already have Zhao and Judd Trump as joint favorites. If you're into that sort of thing, keep an eye on how Zhao's "amateur" status transitioning back to pro affects his seeding in upcoming brackets.
The 2025 World Snooker Championship wasn't just another tournament. It was a changing of the guard. We started with the "Crucible Curse" and ended with a new king from the East. Snooker is in a very interesting place right now.