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Zhao Xintong’s World Championship victory is great news for British star after controversy
A British snooker star has benefited from Zhao Xintong’s remarkable World Championship triumph earlier this month. The Chinese ace defeated Mark Williams to claim his first Crucible crown, having started the tournament as a qualifier.
Zhao had initially qualified for a two-year tour card via the amateur Q Tour rankings. The former World No. 5 is rebuilding his career after serving a 20-month ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. But his victory in Sheffield and subsequent climb to No. 11 in the world rankings now secures his official passage onto the tour. His success on the Q Tour no longer matters, meaning the player ranked below him in the European qualifying campaign is handed the golden ticket onto the professional tour instead.
