Zhao Xintong Makes History as China’s Second World No. 1

Chinese snooker star Zhao Xintong secured the world No. 1 ranking on Thursday with a commanding 5-1 victory over Neil Robertson in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open, becoming only the second Chinese player ever to top the sport’s rankings. The 29-year-old from Shenzhen follows in the footsteps of Ding Junhui, who first achieved the feat in December 2014, marking the first time in nearly 12 years that a Chinese player has held snooker’s top spot.

A Historic Milestone

Zhao’s victory at the Optics Valley Gymnasium in Wuhan was effectively a straight shootout for the world No. 1 position, with the winner guaranteed to reach snooker’s summit. As Xinhua News reported, Zhao’s win secured the top ranking, making him the 13th player in snooker history to achieve world No. 1 and the first player born in the 1990s to reach the summit.

According to the World Snooker Tour, the match was a direct battle for the top spot. Zhao took the first two frames with breaks of 106 and 91 before Robertson claimed the third. A tight fourth frame saw Zhao crucially clear the colours to steal on the black and lead 3-1 at the mid-session. After the interval, he powered over the line with breaks of 113 and 54 to seal victory.

End of Trump’s Reign

The achievement also brought an end to Judd Trump’s reign as world No. 1, which had lasted approximately 104 weeks since August 2024. Trump was eliminated earlier that day by Chinese player Chang Bingyu, who defeated the Englishman 5-1 in the quarter-finals, as The Paper detailed. The removal of Trump’s £500,000 prize money from the 2024 Saudi Masters from the rankings contributed to his fall from the summit.

At the start of the week, there had been a five-way battle for the top spot, with Trump, Zhao, Robertson, Wu Yize and Mark Selby all in contention. As Zhao was the last man standing in the event, he secured the No. 1 ranking.

A Remarkable Comeback Story

Zhao’s rise to the top of the snooker world is all the more remarkable given his journey. Born on April 3, 1997, in Bao’an, Shenzhen, Zhao first made waves in 2012 as a wildcard entrant who defeated former world champion Ken Doherty at the International Championship. He turned professional in 2016 and won his first ranking title at the 2021 UK Championship.

However, in January 2023, Zhao was suspended as part of a match-fixing investigation involving ten Chinese players. While he was found not to have fixed matches himself, he was ruled “liable as a party to” two match fixes by Yan Bingtao, having placed bets on Yan’s behalf. He received a 20-month ban, reduced from 30 months due to early admission and his guilty plea.

After his ban expired, Zhao returned through the amateur Q Tour, winning four consecutive events and making two maximum breaks. He regained his professional status for the 2025-26 season and went on to achieve snooker immortality by becoming China’s first-ever World Champion in 2025, defeating Mark Williams 18-12 in the final at the Crucible Theatre, as Beijing Daily noted in its coverage of the historic achievement.

Dominance in the 2025/26 Season

Zhao’s ascent has been built on sustained excellence. In the 2025/26 season, he won all three Players Series tournaments (World Grand Prix, Players Championship, and Tour Championship) in the same season—a first in snooker history—and became the third player to win over £1 million in a single season. His six ranking titles include the 2021 UK Championship, 2022 German Masters, and the 2026 World Grand Prix, Players Championship, and Tour Championship.

As Shanghai Observer via NetEase reported, Zhao’s career trajectory from a young talent with raw attacking flair to a complete, mentally resilient champion represents a remarkable transformation. The article highlighted how his defensive game has improved dramatically, making him a more balanced and formidable competitor.

Reactions from the Snooker World

Zhao remained characteristically composed after securing the historic achievement. “My mood is quite calm, and I’m also happy,” he said, according to Xinhua’s detailed match report. “To become the top athlete, I still have a long way to go.” When asked about future goals, he added: “Fans may hope I win a Grand Slam or more championships, but for me it’s a process. The most important thing is to enjoy the joy of snooker.”

Speaking to the WST, Zhao reflected on the significance of the moment: “Becoming world number one was definitely one of my dreams when I was growing up. Even now, after winning some ranking titles and becoming more settled mentally, I feel like being world number one isn’t necessarily my ultimate goal. But for a professional player, it’s certainly a very rare and special honour, so I’m extremely happy.”

Fellow Chinese player Xiao Guodong, who also reached the semi-finals, praised Zhao’s achievement. “Congratulations to Zhao Xintong on becoming world number one,” Xiao said. “This is a very good sign for Chinese snooker. Apart from Ding Junhui, we now have another player who can be world number one. Chinese snooker is getting stronger and stronger, and that gives all of us encouragement.”

A New Era for Chinese Snooker

Zhao’s achievement represents more than a personal milestone—it signals the deepening strength of Chinese snooker on the world stage. As Jiangsu News observed, Chinese players now occupy five spots in the world’s top 16, a record high. The country has moved from Ding Junhui’s pioneering solo era to a new generation of collective strength.

At the 2026 World Championship, 11 Chinese players qualified for the main draw, breaking the previous record of 10 set in 2025. The rise of young talents like Chang Bingyu, who defeated Trump at the Wuhan Open, alongside established stars like Zhao and Xiao Guodong, points to a sustained period of Chinese dominance in the sport.

What’s Next

Zhao now faces Xiao Guodong in the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open in an all-Chinese affair, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s final. The tournament, which carries a total prize fund of £825,000 with £175,000 for the winner, continues through August 29.

As Zhao acknowledged, the journey is far from over. “To become the top athlete, I still have a long way to go,” he said. With the world No. 1 ranking secured and a Grand Slam potentially within reach, the 29-year-old from Shenzhen is poised to define an era of Chinese snooker dominance for years to come. The Wikipedia entry on Zhao Xintong already lists his highest ranking as No. 1 (August 2026), cementing his place in the sport’s history books.