The 28-year-old Chinese Zhao Xintong became the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship after beating veteran Mark Williams 18-12 on Monday (May 5).
Zhao Xintong, who earned his spot at the snooker worlds by winning four amateur qualifiers, served out a 20-month sentence for violating betting restrictions last September.
Before losing to Mark Selby, Ding Junhui became the first Asian to make it to the World Championship final in 2016.
"What an opponent he is," Mark Williams remarked. "I've got nothing but admiration for what he has done."
Ronnie O'Sullivan said, "Zhao deserved his victory. I think he's done brilliantly all tournament and all credit to Zhao. He played better than me."
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