Scottish veteran John Higgins showed great sportsmanship, delivering heartfelt praise for his opponent
In a remarkable 12-month period, Zhao Xintong’s meteoric rise continued as he triumphed in Telford on Sunday, overcoming snooker legend John Higgins 10-7 in a gripping final. The victory, which earned him a £150,000 grand prize, followed just two weeks after his impressive win at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong. At just 25, Zhao’s star is firmly on the rise, and his recent success has left the snooker world buzzing with excitement.
Despite the loss, John Higgins, the 50-year-old Scottish veteran, was gracious in defeat, offering heartfelt praise for his opponent. Known for his class and sportsmanship, Higgins made it clear that Zhao’s talent is something extraordinary. Reflecting on his own career and his father’s admiration for past sporting legends, Higgins remarked, “I can always remember my dad saying he was lucky to see people like George Best and Jimmy Johnson.” The legendary snooker player went on to draw a parallel with his children’s generation, asserting, “I’m sure my kids are lucky that they’ve watched somebody like Xintong because he is an absolute genius.” He didn’t hesitate to label Zhao with a simple, yet powerful, two-word assessment: “A genius.”
For Zhao, the victory was surreal. The young Chinese star, still coming to terms with his remarkable back-to-back ranking titles, is already being hailed as a once-in-a-generation talent. His recent achievements, which include two major titles in a matter of weeks, paint an exciting picture for the future, especially with the upcoming World Snooker Championship in April. If Zhao continues on this trajectory, the snooker world may soon be looking at a new global champion, someone capable of dominating the sport for years to come.
