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- Defiant, But Defeated, Mark Williams Is Full Of Praise After Zhao Xintong’S Historic World Title Win
Mark Williams may have fallen short in the World Snooker Championship final, but the three-time winner emerged as a true role model for sportsmanship, courage, and admiration as he hailed Zhao Xintong’s landmark triumph at the Crucible.
Zhao made history as the first Chinese player to lift snooker’s most prestigious prize with an 18-12 victory over the 50-year-old Welshman, whose own remarkable run had made him the oldest finalist in Crucible history.
Yet even in defeat, it was Williams’ reflections that resonated most.
“He (Zhao) is as good to watch as O’Sullivan was when he was younger. He just strolls around the table and pots balls from anywhere as if he doesn’t have a care in the world,” said Williams, clearly in awe of his opponent's talent and composure.
“Xintong is going to be a national hero now. He’ll be on the front page of every news outlet going and I’m sure there are Chinese companies ready to throw zillions at him.
“It’s great for our sport to have someone at the top who is so attacking and so young.”
Williams, who had battled past world number one Judd Trump in the semi-finals and defied his own expectations to reach a fifth Crucible final, acknowledged the gap Zhao created early on proved too much.
“I played well all tournament but unfortunately I was never in the final from the first few frames,” he admitted.
“Some of the balls Zhao potted were unbelievable. I used to feel like that at 27 or 28.
“To do what he’s done, having been out for 20 months then come back and won every game, come here and bashed everyone up in a major tournament, is unbelievable.”
READ MORE: Mark Williams Digs Deep To Keep Crucible Dream Alive Against Zhao Xintong
Zhao, 28, resumed Monday night needing just one more frame for victory after taking a 17-8 lead.
But Williams surged out of the blocks with breaks of 101, 96, and 73 to narrow the deficit and briefly stir thoughts of a legendary comeback — reminiscent of Dennis Taylor’s 1985 miracle.
It was gloriously defiant, heart-pumping stuff and roared on by Welsh fans in the audience, his supporters dared to dream.
But Zhao responded calmly, sealing the win with a composed break of 87 and draping himself in a Chinese flag in celebration.
“It’s like a dream – I can’t believe it,” said Zhao.
“There was big pressure and I was a bit nervous because I knew I couldn’t miss. I knew he could come back so quickly so I had to concentrate and be very careful.”
Zhao’s victory is all the more remarkable considering he only returned to competition in September following a 20-month suspension for his role in a match-fixing scandal.
He had lost his tour card, entered as an amateur, and was forced to qualify through four matches just to reach the main draw.
“I had nearly two years not playing in tour competitions and that’s why I said my first target was to get through qualifying to the Crucible.
“I can’t believe I went on to be champion, but I am back now and I want to keep going,” Zhao added.
READ MORE: Mark Williams Questions Eye Surgery After Proving He Can Still Compete At 50
In becoming only the third qualifier — and the first amateur — to win at the Crucible since its move to Sheffield in 1977, Zhao has also recorded the most wins ever by a champion in a single tournament, with nine.
His 47 victories in 49 matches this season underline his dominance.
“Unfortunately I was just never in the final from day one,” Williams reflected.
“I was behind from the start and could not get into it. I said that if I could get out of the first session at 5-3 down it would have been a result, but I was 7-1 down and it was a bit far for me to get back.
“I've got nothing but admiration for what he's done, coming through the qualifiers. He hasn't played for two years, bashed everybody up. There's a new superstar of the game.”
Zhao’s win also holds wider significance — a long-awaited breakthrough for Chinese snooker, nine years after Ding Junhui’s near miss in the 2016 final.
As he lifted the trophy and claimed the £500,000 top prize, Zhao rose to 11th in the world rankings and ushered in what could be a new era.
“It is very good for Chinese snooker and I am very happy I have done this for them. Now this will give them [children in China] power and in the future many Chinese players can do this,” Zhao said.
For Williams, the dream of a fourth world title was not to be, but his sportsmanship and admiration for his opponent stood tall amid defeat — a fitting testament to one champion saluting the rise of another.
