Sports supremo Barry Hearn believes Zhao Xintong's historic Crucible win is 'another leap forward for snooker'

Speaking shortly after the final to esteemed journalist Nick Metcalfe on Radio Snooker, Matchroom President Hearn paid tribute to 28-year-old Zhao - the first Asian player to claim snooker’s blue riband title - and explained the positive impact the feat could have moving forwards.

“He played brilliant. The guy is a class, class player” said Hearn.

“It’s another leap forward for snooker really. A massive aid to us and around the world, particularly in China. I think he’ll inspire a nation; he seems to be a very likeable young man and very presentable.”

Only a few years ago, Zhao was one of the hottest properties in the sport having won two ranking event titles in quick succession - including the 2021 UK Championship - and risen to number six in the world rankings.

However, Zhao’s progress was halted when he was suspended, and then issued with a 20-month ban for his involvement in the match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport during the 2022/23 season.

Zhao - who was found not to have fixed matches himself - only returned to competitive action last September, where he played on snooker’s secondary circuit, the Q Tour. He won four consecutive events, finishing top of the rankings which earned him his professional tour card back and an invite to the World Championship qualifiers.

Asked about Zhao’s wrongdoings, Hearn acknowledged the new Crucible champion’s journey over the past few years, but was keen to applaud the way Zhao has returned to the baize: “That’s a thing in the past. He got involved in something and he looks back on and realised he made a mistake. It wasn’t match-fixing, it was ancillaries to that.

“It’s still wrong and he paid his price, and like everyone in life, we all make mistakes - even me!” Hearn joked at the end.

“You’ve just got to live with it and he’s answered it the best way possible on the table. It’s a hell of a month you know - 111 frames, 29 days - that’s hard graft that’s verging on the impossible, but, and he’s come across as a likeable young man - I think he’ll be a great asset to snooker.”

Despite the time difference, it has been reported that approximately 150 million people tuned in from Zhao’s homeland to watch him win snooker’s ultimate prize. He was also given a hero’s welcome home when he arrived at Shenzhen Airport just a few days later.

Asian players have been near the top echelons of the sport for well over three decades now; Thailand’s James Wattana was the first superstar from the region in the early 90s, while Hong Kong’s Marco Fu burst on to the scene later in the decade. Both players won three ranking titles each.

Twenty years ago last month, Ding Junhui changed the course of snooker history when he became the first player from China to lift a ranking event trophy after defeating Stephen Hendry in the final of the 2005 China Open, on home soil.

That red letter day sparked a boom in popularity and participation across China, and a conveyor belt of talent from the nation has made its way on to the pro tour since, with several cueists lifting trophies on the premier circuit.

However, with Chinese 8-ball pool on the rise in China over recent years, Zhao’s unprecedented triumph may encourage more youngsters back to the bigger table.

Hearn excited about the Chinese snooker market, and hopes on staying at the Crucible

Many fans appear to be in agreement that this year’s World Snooker Championship was a very special one, with stories running throughout the whole tournament, from the qualifying rounds at the English Institute of Sport, to the grand stage of the Crucible Theatre.

Hearn was asked by Metcalfe about his feelings on the competition as a whole: “Fabulous. You always like to see moments of history, and that was a moment in history as far as the South-East Asia and China market is concerned.

“And I think, I would say the message is out to all the other players on tour, watch out, China - because that’s going to inspire a lot of people to say ‘I can do that as well’.

They know the player, they know how good they are. We need to find out, we need to go out there and find out some new stars.”

Inevitably - as it has been debated once again throughout the tournament - Hearn was asked whether snooker’s showpiece event will be staying at the Crucible, with the final year of the current hosting contract being in 2027.

The Crucible is a big part of Hearn’s life; he memorably celebrated with Steve Davis on the arena floor just moments after ‘The Nugget’s’ maiden world title win in 1981.

Hearn replied: “I hope so, but you know, we’ve got to live in the real world. So much about professional sport is about money, and as much as we want to stay here desperately, it’s got to be something that fits into the overall broad picture of where the game is going.

“This is a huge game. We mustn’t be parochial in out attitude, and as long as everyone understands that and comes to the party in a reasonable and respectful way, I’m hopeful we can stay here.

“We must know by the end of the year, the clock is ticking.”