Zhao Xintong Returns as a King: Shanghai Set Ablaze for China’s First World Snooker Champion
A wave of excitement is sweeping across Shanghai as snooker fans prepare to give a hero’s welcome to newly crowned World Champion Zhao Xintong. Tonight’s highly anticipated opening match of the Shanghai Masters sees Zhao take on England’s Chris Wakelin — a contest that marks Zhao’s first appearance since claiming snooker’s biggest prize and becoming the first Chinese player to lift the World Championship trophy.
The atmosphere surrounding Zhao’s return is nothing short of electric. The buzz is so intense that even seven-time World Champion Stephen Hendry quipped, “I might need a guest pass to get in!” as he marveled at the scale of support expected for the local superstar. Hendry added, “It’ll be a momentous occasion — not just for Zhao, but for Chinese snooker as a whole.”
Zhao’s victory at the Crucible earlier this year was a landmark moment for the sport, particularly in China where snooker has long been growing in popularity. His triumph resonated deeply with fans across the country, and tonight’s match at the Shanghai Masters is expected to be more than just a sporting event — it’s a celebration of national pride and the coming of age for Chinese snooker on the world stage.
Chris Wakelin, meanwhile, will have his work cut out as he faces both a formidable opponent and an overwhelmingly partisan crowd. For Zhao, this evening offers the perfect stage to begin his reign as World Champion, and with an entire nation behind him, the spotlight is firmly his to own.
