Reason Zhao Xintong was banned from snooker explained (2025)

After serving his time away from the table the Chinese superstar is set for a return to the biggest stage in snooker

He was the baby-faced assassin who blew Ronnie O'Sullivan away, but Zhao Xintong experienced a rapid fall from grace.

The Chinese star earned comparisons with Scots icon Stephen Hendry after bursting onto the scene playing some sensational, high-scoring snooker - with the Rocket believing he could become one of the best to ever play the sport.

However a seemingly glittering future was thrown into turmoil as Zhao and nine other Chinese players found themselves embroiled in a betting scandal that rocked the snooker world.

After winning the UK Championship in 2021 and quickly following that up with the German Masters title, Zhao was suspended from competitive snooker in January 2023 - and eventually banned for 20 months in September of the same year.

His suspension came just days before he was due to meet four time World Champion Mark Selby at the Masters in London.

The 27-year-old was given a ban of one year and eight months, reduced from two and a half years after his early admissions and guilty plea. That allowed him to return to action on the amateur scene at the start of the season, before sharpening his skills before a return to the World Championship this month.

Who is Zhao Xintong?

Zhao is a 28-year-old snooker player from China, who has the nickname The Cyclone for his all-action, attacking style of player. He was one of the game's rising stars and ranked ninth in the world when he was banned.

He claimed his first ranking title by securing the 2021 UK Championship with a 10-5 victory over Luca Brecel in York, becoming only the fourth non-British winner of the event. And followed that up by winning the 2022 German Masters, whitewashing fellow countryman Yan Bingtao 9-0 in the final.

And he even caught the eye of icon Ronnie O'Sullivan who believes he's destined for great things. He said: “Xintong reminds me of my son. I look at him and he reminds me of my little boy Ronnie.

“I have this father protection of him, I want to see him do so well. He’s such a great talent, such a lovely boy. I just love to see him show the world how wonderful he plays the game which he plays in the most beautiful style.

“I have a really good connection with him. I always tell him ‘You are the boss. I am here to help but if you tell me to be quiet, I will be quiet’.”

Why was Zhao Xintong banned from snooker?

With the Rocket in his corner, as much natural talent as anyone could dream of - and two ranking titles in the bag, Zhao had the world at his feet.

But then everything changed as he, along with nine other players, got caught out in a sting targeting gambling offences in the sport.

The charges included manipulating games, approaching players to cheat, betting on snooker and fixing a match. Although it was found that Zhao had never thrown a match himself.

Liang Wenbo and Li Hang were handed lifetime bans for their involvement in the scandal. Eight other players received bans ranging from 20 months to five years and four months.

When did Zhao Xintong's ban end?

Zhao's ban ended in September 2024 and he returned to action at a WPBSA Q Tour event in Bulgaria on September 20. He quickly showed that he'd lost none of his talent, winning two Q Tour events and making two 147s in the process – the first player ever to make a maximum on that circuit.

He earned a spot in the UK Championship, winning four qualifying matches before being knocked out at the first round by Shaun Murphy.

Speaking at the event he said: "‘Two years ago I made a little mistake and now I come back, so I know how important snooker is for me, I want to come back to the snooker table and get trophies."

How did Zhao Xintong qualify for the World Snooker Championship?

Faced with four gruelling qualifiers for a spot in Sheffield, Zhao wasted no time in showing what he's capable of - recording four centuries in his first qualifier against Cheung Ka Wai - coming out 10-3 winner.

A 10-8 win against Long Zehuang brought another two centuries, before three in a 10-4 win against another Chinese opponent - Lyu Haotian.

That set up a showdown with Elliot Slessor, and both players hit three centuries as Zhao edged to a 10-8 win in a compelling encounter.