'Zhao Xintong is a superstar' - Jimmy White says world champion has sparked fresh snooker boom in China

Zhao Xintong started the season as the champion of the world following his win over Mark Williams in the final at the Crucible in May. His victory has propelled him into the superstar bracket in his native China, according to TNT Sports expert Jimmy White. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the English Open, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

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Zhao Xintong has taken snooker to a new level in China on the back of his World Championship success, according to Jimmy White.

The Chinese player shocked the world at the Crucible when coming through qualifying to beat Mark Williams 18-12 in the final in Sheffield.

In taking the title, he became the first player from Asia to take the world crown and White feels a boom first initiated by the exploits of veteran Ding Junhui has taken off again.

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"Zhao being world champion, we expected Ding would be the first Chinese world champion, the game has exploded again in China," White said on TNT Sports. "I was out there with Ronnie O’Sullivan playing some exhibitions. It is phenomenal the amount of coverage he is getting.

"Zhao Xintong is a superstar out there now."

While Zhao has commanded the majority of the headlines in China the past few months, he has not been alone in winning titles.

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Xiao Guodong, Lei Peifan, Zhang Anda, Ding and Fan Zhengyi have won ranking titles in recent seasons.

"They all stick together," White added. "They get a lot of help from the Chinese snooker association, they practice together and they inspire each other.

"He [Zhao] is massive. He has taken it to a new level. He is a young, good-looking guy. He is really suave. He is modern and so has a different audience now."

Zhou Yuelong, a beaten finalist at the Northern Ireland Open in 2022, booked his place in the title match at the English Open with a win over Mark Selby, and he had words of praise for his compatriot Zhao Xintong and the other Chinese players operating at the highest level.

"They are inspiring," Zhou Yuelong said on TNT Sports. "This year, last year, many Chinese won the titles. We are learning together, practice together and it is definitely inspiring us."

Asked for his thoughts on Zhao Xintong winning the world title, Zhou Yuelong said: "I was so happy for him.

"If he can do that, all Chinese players will maybe in the future be more world champions.

"This game has been dominated by Europe for many years. He is the first Asian player."

Zhou Yuelong said Zhao Xintong's win at the Crucible catapulted him into the superstar bracket at home.

"Maybe walking down the street he needs a mask," Zhou added with a grin on his face.

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'I got some luck'

Asked for his thoughts on his win over Selby on Saturday, Zhou added: "Today I tried my best.

"I was getting nervous, especially playing Mark Selby in a special semi-final. I got some luck in the first two frames and then I was able to relax a little."

Zhou produced an impressive clearance in the seventh frame on the back of Selby unfortunately seeing a red go in when potting a blue, and he said it was important to take his chances.

"It is important to clear like that when in this position," Zhou said. "I needed to clean up under pressure."

Watch and stream top snooker action, including the English Open, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

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