Zhao Xintong withdraws from World Snooker Federation Championship amidst online debate


The prestigious event - that is open to any amateur player in the world - takes place at the Radisson Blu Resort in Saïdia between January 24th to February 1st.
It is viewed by many as the modern-day world amateur championship, with the title winner set to be offered a two-year tour card for the sport’s professional circuit, the World Snooker Tour.
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Having initially entered it, former UK and German Masters champion Zhao has elected not to travel to the competition in North Africa. The news was announced via the Victoria’s Snooker Academy - where Zhao regularly practices - Facebook page with a post saying:
“After a stunning Q Tour campaign (securing a tour card for next season) we can confirm Zhao Xintong will not participate in the forthcoming WSF Championship or the next Q Tour event.
His focus is on the World Championship qualifiers and the 2025/2026 season as a professional.”
Zhao returned to competitive action in September following the expiration of his ban from the sport. The Chinese cueist has enjoyed a sensational winning streak on the UK/European Q Tour - snooker’s second tier - as he went about winning back a full-time place on the professional circuit.
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After losing in the last 64 of his comeback event, former top 16 star Zhao has been in sensational form on the Q Tour, winning all four events since then - with stops in Sweden, England, Austria and Belgium - and stringing together a staggering 32-match winning sequence on that circuit. He also compiled two maximum 147 breaks during that streak.
With one regular Q Tour event still to go, runaway rankings leader Zhao is already guaranteed to finish top of the standings and is therefore guaranteed to have his professional stripes later this year for the 2025/26 season.
Due to his Q Tour results, Zhao was invited to play at the 2024 UK Championship qualifiers where he won four successive matches and reached the televised stages in York where he was pipped by Shaun Murphy in his opening match there. Zhao will also be invited to the 2025 World Championship qualifiers in April.
Despite all his success from across the past few months - and having a tour card on the way - Zhao is still classed as an amateur player, and will be until he signs the World Snooker Tour players’ contract in several months time and re-enters the pro circuit.
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Therefore, he was eligible to play in the upcoming WSF Championship - which carries a 10,000 Euros first prize - but has now opted out.
There was much debate and discussion online as to whether it was right that Zhao should be allowed to play in the Championship, due to not having the same pressure of trying to win a tour card that many fellow top amateurs in the event will have.
Several well-known names within the sport commented on social media on whether this was fair and should Zhao be excluded from competing despite not yet being professional again.
Stephen Feeney - of SightRight fame and coach to several top players - responded to a comment that former PTC event winner Barry Pinches put on Facebook with:
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“As the world amateur event is a main tour card pathway event and Zhao has already secured his tour card via an alternate pathway, shouldn’t he be pulled out now in the interests of competitive fair play for all other amateurs entered. Therein lies the issues & considerations around fair play with multiple main tour pathway events I guess. If it was Q-School he would be rightfully pulled out of the next event and a bye would be awarded in the draw.”
But now, this discussion has temporarily been put to bed following the statement from Victoria’s Snooker Academy. Several people interacted on that latest post appreciating Zhao’s decision such as Reanne Evans and Iulian Boiko.
James Matthewman commented: “Very honourable as he didn't have to, at the end of the day still money to be earned and records to be set. Good luck Zhao. Can't wait to see you on tour.”
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