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Zhao Xintong gets teary after storied journey to World Snooker Championship glory
Zhao Xintong had tears in his eyes as he made history by becoming China’s first world champion on Monday night. The Cyclone, 28, blew away Mark Williams, the oldest ever finalist, 18-12 to become the first amateur ever to lift the World Championship title. Zhao, the first qualifier to conquer the Crucible since Shaun Murphy 20 years ago, rocketed up to 11th in the world rankings after he banked the £500,000 top prize.
There was no passing of the torch from the famous Class of 92, Zhao snatched it from them. He hammered Ronnie O’Sullivan with a session to spare in the semi-final and never looked back after racing 7-1 ahead of Williams in the first session. The Chinese revolution has long been muted, but it is now here after they finally crowned their first King of the sport.
