Like China's new sporty superstar Zhao Xintong from 20-month match fixing ban on the first world champion Asia

He is still forbidden to play in his home country, but Snooker Sensation Zhao Xintong did a sporting history yesterday by being the first Asian player to win the World Cup.

The 28-year-old Chinese star inserted £ 500,000 when he hired a master class for a Cueing to clean the Welsh veteran Mark Williams in the crucible in Sheffield on an 18-12 thrashing.

The three -time winner Williams also fought for a victory in the story that would have been the oldest world champion at the age of 50.

Xintong, who referred to the cyclone, had deleted his idol Ronnie O'Sullivan on the famous green Baize in the semi -finals, who after his modest defeat achieved a relapse from the two of her first encounter when his opponent was only one child.

The left -hander, who lives only 10 minutes from the melting pot, was incredible to the title, which was classified as an “amateur” and had to triumph in four qualifications before even making it into the first round.

O'Sullivan had seen his talent first -hand over the years ago when he explained to the Telegraph that Xintong 'the Roger Federer could be Snooker.

Nevertheless, there is a cloud that hangs on Xintong's remarkable victory, since he would not even have played at this year's tournament if it was not about his role in the greatest play fix scandal of the sport because of his early guilty plea.

The latest Megastar from Snooker increased in the ranks and won the British championship in 2021 when he was one of 10 Chinese players a year later who were accused of an independent panel in the exam.

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He was the only player who did not play a game directly, but in 2023 he received a 20-month ban because he was celebrated in another player and had relied on games himself.

Ringleader's Liang Wenbo and Li Hang were banned for the life of snookers after they were found guilty due to serial match fixation.

During 2021 Masters Champion Yan Bingtao will be off the tour until December 2027 because it serves a five -year ban.

Wenbo, who won the English Open 2016 – and at the time as the slope of the world no.

They also “induced, tempted, convince, encourage or relieved”, to repair nine or seven games, and tried to cover up their participation by deleting messages on their phones.

The 58-page report, which was published by the disciplinary commission of the WPBSA, showed that Xintong had tried to dissuade Bingtao, who had known since the age of 16.

It also found that he had shown “real regrets for his actions”.

As a result of his suspension, Xintong was unloaded by the professional tour, which means that he had to join the amateur q tour when he returned to the table last September.

Xintong boats more than 20,000 followers on Instagram and regularly displays its opulent lifestyle – whether it drives around in a Lamborghini, luxuriously luxuriated in public holidays and boats or performs his delightful type of pomerical type.

But there was a remarkable gap in his frequent post after being banished from sport in January 2023. He didn't post for four months, where he was hit with comments like “cheat” and “You broke my heart”.

Xintong, who comes from Xi'an in North Central China, but moved to Great Britain in 2016, has been sensational since his arrival in September.

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He won 47 of his 49 games and beat the seven -time champion O'Sullivan with a meeting in the semi -finals on Friday.

Xintong swores “never to do it again” when he was asked before the semi-final conflict whether he had the feeling of getting a second chance.

During his first interview after his return from his ban last year, he described his part in the shameful match fixation as a “small mistake”.

“I know how important snooker is for me and now I just want to return to the Snooker table,” he told the BBC.

“Let them know that this is a large lesson. Don't make the mistake, ”he said in a warning to other young players. “Play snookers, it's a very good thing.

“These two years were very long for me, I practiced every day. I knew I would come back, so I have to keep myself confident.

“I think if I play well, I can beat someone. I will only do my best. '

It is a remarkable comeback win for Xintong, which must have feared two years ago that his career was over.

His Instagram posts show that he spent a few months in China and showed his trips to incredible lakes and resorts.

But in October last year the Snooker contributions were restarted and he was hit with comments by fans who said: “He is back!” And “Congratulations!”

In China it remains to be seen whether he is praised as a national hero after angry chiefs have been banned for an additional 10 months, which means that he can only play in his home country on July 1st.

The Snooker journalist Nick Metcalfe was also upset by the “Blumey Language”, which has been used since Xintong's return.

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“Shortly after the ban, some of the headlines – certainly outside the Snooker bubble – could be the last thing that sport needs,” he told the BBC before the final.

“We all assumed that a first Chinese world champion would be a special moment for everyone in the game, almost a moment of unhappy joy, but I am sure that this will not be the case if Zhao claims the title this weekend.”

However, the chairman of WPBSA, Jason Ferguson, jumped into Xintong's defense and says: “It is important to talk about it and very openly.

“We are not a sport that shied away from our problems.

“We are a sport that went publicly and said:” We have a problem – we will clean it up. “And we did it.

'Zhao served his time. He's here again. He paid for his fine. And he did the right one too. He was full of remorse from day one. He apologized to the public.

“He went out in public in China and apologized. And he followed a route that tried to work back into sport. Was very committed. Keep his head lowered.

“This is a man who is prepared for the best standard, he has prepared his spirit and prepares to face the public again.”

In O'Sullivan he remained this week after his modest loss of one of Xintongs's most resolved.

O'Sullivan said: 'The game missed him. His goal and pot is incredible.

“He is very big in China, but when he becomes world champion, it will be incredible. He would be a mega star. It will be just amazing for Snooker and his life. '