Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Snooker, World Snooker Championship
Ryan Smart
Zhao Xintong is set to lose nearly half of his prize money after beating Mark Williams 18-12 in the World Snooker Championship final.
The 28-year-old became China's first world champion with victory at the Crucible Theatre, while he is also the first amateur player to lift the trophy.
Zhao led 11-6 after the first of two days, and extended his advantage to 17-8 - meaning he needed just one frame when the players began the final session.
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Williams threatened a remarkable comeback by winning all four frames before the mid-session interval, but missed a crucial red and Zhao subsequently cleared the table - barring the final black - to win his first world crown.
The Chinese star had to go through eight matches before contesting the final, with his amateur status meaning he entered the qualifiers in the first round of four.
Williams, meanwhile, became the oldest player to reach the Crucible final at 50 years of age, having won the World Championship on three previous occasions in 2000, 2003 and 2018.
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Zhao said his target was to simply reach the first round of the Crucible, but he defeated Jak Jones, Lei Peifan, Chris Wakelin, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Williams to make snooker history.
As a result, Zhao pocketed £500,000 in prize money.
But he will not get to keep all of that sum.
Zhao lives at the Victoria's Snooker Academy, which is situated in Sheffield City Centre.
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The academy is home to many of World Snooker's Chinese professionals, with Zhang Anda and Si Jiahui among the others that live and practice there.
He set up a business, Zhao Xintong Limited, to handle his affairs in 2021 and this is also based in Sheffield.
As a result, he is subject to UK tax laws and his salary will be deducted by an expected £204,299, plus an additional £19,611 in National Insurance contributions, as per reports.
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The 28-year-old will therefore lose out on 44.8 per cent of his winnings, though will of course still home the biggest purse of any player competing at the World Snooker Championship in 2025.
He was one of 10 Chinese players - the most in the history of the tournament - competing at the final stage in Sheffield.
He will start the 2025/26 season as the second-highest ranked Chinese player on tour behind Ding Junhui.
Zhao is now ranked at number 11, though will qualify for every tournament as the second seed through winning the World Championship.
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Regardless, the 28-year-old is effectively guaranteed to remain in the top 16 for the entire season as he is not 'defending' any ranking points, having completed a 20-month suspension from the sport in September 2024.
Speaking after the final, he told the Yorkshire Post: "I was so nervous. Mark is still a top player and put me under so much pressure.
"When we shook hands I was nearly crying. It's very good for Chinese snooker and I am happy I have done this for the people there. I hope it will give power to the young players."
He continued: "I don't know how I have played so well here. I didn't believe I could become World Champion this year, I am so proud of myself.
"I will take the trophy home to China and show it to my parents and friends."