Zhao Xintong's 2025 World Championships title adds weight to snooker's entry into the 2032 Brisbane Olympics

The governing body of snooker plans to use Zhao Xintong's victory at the 2025 World Championships to turn the sport into an official sport at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. The head of snooker's governing body believes that Zhao Xintong's world championship may be one of the most important moments in the history of the sport, as one of the ultimate goals of snooker is to appear on the stage of the 2032 Olympic Games. On the 5th local time, Zhao Xintong defeated Mark Williams 18-12 and became the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship.

When the score of the decisive battle was fixed at 18-12, Zhao Xintong stood at the peak of Crucible and looked down on everything

Snooker is a mass-based sport in China, with about 300,000 snooker clubs in operation and more than 150 million people believed to have watched Zhao's historic victory over Crucible. Jason Ferguson, president of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), believes that this result could open more doors for the sport than ever before: not only in China, but all over the world. In addition, having a Chinese world champion could add weight to Snooker's entry into the Brisbane Olympics.

"Actually, getting the support of the Australian side is a goal," Ferguson said. We are in dialogue with all agencies involved in multi-project management. There are a lot of political factors involved, but someone has to see the size of the snooker market and the importance of China to the IOC, and acknowledge that the time for snooker has arrived. ”

From making a comeback as an amateur player, to passing four levels in a row to advance to the World Championships, until finally winning the World Championships, Zhao Xintong's story is legendary enough

Ferguson challenged British sports bodies because snooker's status in China was significantly higher. "We need to see snooker seen as a major Olympic sport in this country, and that's the difference," he said. "We're recognised by Sports England, but we really need to get the sport treated the same way as other sports. Perhaps important is the introduction of events such as the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics, and even the Paralympics. ”

Ferguson said that now that Zhao Xintong is a world champion, he expects snooker to develop even more in China. Ferguson also made bold predictions about the 28-year-old's career, "Zhao Xintong has the potential to become the highest-paid player in the history of the sport".

At this moment, Zhao Xintong is the strongest king in the snooker world, and he deserves to stand up and salute everyone

In Ferguson's view, Zhao Xintong has the same snooker talent as Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan, but the difference is that behind him is the huge Chinese market, and many brands are looking forward to becoming involved with the sport of snooker, and the potential for cooperation between them is endless. In addition, "snooker is seen as a national sport in China. When fans see that there is a world champion from China, they believe that this national hero will take the sport to the next level. ”