Zhao Xintong’s Ban Ends: The Cyclone is Back
Zhao Xintong, the former snooker world No. 6, is eligible to enter amateur competition after his ban for match-fixing ended on September 2.
Like tennis, snooker is a popular sport with punters. In fact, it has a season of tournaments and matches throughout the year. Thus, there is always something to bet on the top Asian and European bookmakers. If you are familiar with the sport, Zhao Xintong will ring a bell. Yes, this is the 2021 UK Championship winner. And yes, he did face a ban. However, this week Zhao Xintong’s ban ends.
The Chinese former professional snooker player, suspended following a match-fixing investigation, is now free to play again as of September 2, 2024. If you’re not a fan, don’t worry—we’ll provide a comprehensive background on his career and the circumstances surrounding his ban.
Zhao Xintong’s Ban Ends: The Rise of The Cyclone
Zhao Xintong was born on April 3, 1997, in Xi’an, China. He is a professional snooker player who quickly rose through the ranks. Zhao became one of the sport’s most promising talents. Known for his exceptional potting skills, he also has a calm demeanor under pressure. What’s more, Zhao made a name for himself on the international snooker scene. His breakthrough came in 2021 when he won the prestigious UK Championship, which solidified his status as a top contender in the sport.
Zhao’s rapid rise and dynamic playing style earned him the nickname “The Cyclone.” This moniker reflects his ability to clear the table, often leaving his opponents in awe. His aggressive approach and precision have made him a fan favorite and a formidable opponent on the snooker circuit.
In addition to his UK Championship win, Zhao secured his second-ranking title at the 2022 German Masters. Back then, he dominated Yan Bingtao with a 9-0 victory in the final. His highest career ranking was 6th in the world, achieved in May 2022. Zhao also compiled over 136 century breaks in his career. While they may seem modest compared to legends like Ronnie O’Sullivan (who holds the record for the most century breaks, with over 1,170), it’s important to remember that he is still in the early stages of his career. However, his progress hit a bit of a speed bump with the ban.
Snookered by Match-Fixing Scandal
Despite his promising career, Zhao Xintong encountered a significant roadblock in January 2023. At the time, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) conducted an extensive investigation. Shockingly, the results revealed Zhao’s involvement in a major match-fixing scandal. In particular, his role was betting on snooker matches and being party to another player fixing two matches.
This scandal was part of a broader investigation that saw 10 Chinese players suspended.
The Penalties and Suspensions Handed Down
The other nine caught up in this unfortunate episode faced varying degrees of punishment:
- Liang Wenbo (2016 English Open champion) and Li Hang (2008 ACBS Asian Under-21 Snooker Championship winner). They were the ring leaders. So, they received lifetime bans. Specifically, for their roles in fixing matches and encouraging others to do the same.
- Yan Bingtao (2001 Masters winner). Initially, he got a seven and a half years ban. However, due to his early admissions, it was later reduced to five years.
- Lu Ning (semi-finals of the 2020 UK Championship). He got an eight-year suspension, reduced to five years and four months.
- Bai Langning (last 8 of the 2021 Championship League) and Zhang Jiankang (last 16 in the 2019 Scottish Open). The authorities reduced their four-year bans to two years and eight months, and two years and eleven months, respectively.
- Chen Zifan (highest-ranking #76 in May 2021) faced a ban of seven and a half years, which authorities later reduced to five years.
- Zhao Jianbo (2019 IBSF World Under-21 Snooker Championship winner) and Chang Bingyu (2018 IBSF World Snooker Championship winner). They also faced significant suspensions with Zhao Jianbo’s ban reduced to two years and four months, and Chang Bingyu’s to two years.
Finally, the charges against Zhao Xintong included manipulating games and approaching other players to cheat. In comparison to the other players, Xintong was culpable of lesser offenses. In addition, his early admissions and plea of guilty led to a reduced suspension from two years and six months to one year and eight months. Furthermore, he got to pay £7,500 in costs. His ban officially ended on September 2, 2024. As a result, he can return to professional snooker.
Zhao Xintong’s Ban Ends: CBSA vs WPBSA
There had been some confusion as to whether the former world number six would be able to immediately compete in international events.
The Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association upheld his original suspension last year. Consequently, he can’t enter events run by that organization until July 2025.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association’s usual stance is that a player who isn’t in good standing with their national federation can’t participate in their tournaments. However, the WPBSA has confirmed that the stipulation won’t be the case with Zhao. Therefore, he is free to enter events on the amateur Q Tour in the months ahead.
Zhao Xintong’s Ban Ends: Breaking Back into the Snooker Scene
Recently, he has given a few interviews, expressing optimism about rejoining the main tour for the upcoming season. With Zhao Xintong’s ban ending, his comeback journey might start this month, as the 2022 German Masters champion is set to compete in the second Q Tour event of the season, taking place in Bulgaria from September 20-22.
His story is a reminder of the high stakes involved in professional sports and the importance of maintaining integrity. While his early career had impressive achievements, the match-fixing scandal and subsequent ban have left a significant mark. As The Cyclone steps back into the competitive arena, he will need to reinvent himself, and perhaps get used to the fact he will not be as universally popular as he was before.
As you follow the upcoming snooker tournaments and perhaps even open a betting account via agent to place your wagers, keep an eye on Xintong. It will be fascinating to see if he can revive his once-promising career.
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