Home hero Xiao Guodong wins snooker gold at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu

World number 13 Xiao’s gold medal triumph comes a day after compatriot Bai Yulu’s title victory in the women’s event.

Xiao and Bai - who both opted to compete in these home Games rather than play at the ongoing big-money Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters on the pro tour - create history for the host nation by collecting China’s first World Games gold medals in snooker.

The World Games are scheduled to take place every four years and feature sports which aren't currently in the Olympic Games, although are recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

Cuesports have been part of the Games ever since the 2001 edition held in Akita, Japan. Snooker is played alongside other baize disciplines such as 9-ball pool and three-cushion billiards, although this year - the first time that mainland China has hosted the Games - 10-ball pool and heyball featured on the programme.

Approximately 5,000 athletes from over 100 nations will take part in this 12th staging of the World Games.

Reigning Wuhan Open champion Xiao was the favourite going into the men’s event, but the tournament consisted of a brutally short best of three frames format throughout. The women’s event was even more savage, with only 6-reds used.

A total of 12 players were in the men’s competition and they were split into four round robin groups of three. The top two from each pool qualified for the quarter-finals where the event went to straight knockout.

Xiao advanced from his group, although he did lose 2-1 to Poland's Sebastian Milewski.

In the last eight, Xiao compiled a break of 69 as he defeated former World Billiards Champion Sourav Kothari (India) 2-0.

The 36-year-old then guaranteed himself a medal with a 2-0 (58 break) win over reigning and four-time IBSF World Amateur Snooker Champion Muhammad Asif (Pakistan) in the semi-finals.

Coming through the other side of the draw was former Snooker Shoot Out champion Georgiou.

The Cypriot - who recently won snooker gold at the Commonwealth Billiards Championship in Mauritius - qualified from his group and then eliminated Milewski 2-0 in the quarters.

In the last four, Germany's Alexander Widau deposited the opening frame but Georgiou levelled up with a break of 118 before claiming the decider to reach the final.

Like the round before, Georgiou went behind in the title match but forced a deciding frame with a century break (111). However, Xiao would not denied gold on home soil as he ran out a 2-1 victor.

Xiao’s next competitive engagement will again be in his home country as he aims to successfully defend the Wuhan Open title.

In the third-place playoff between the two losing semi-finalists, Widau pipped Asif 2-1 for the bronze medal, despite Asif compiling the highest break of the competition with a 141 in frame two.

For further information on the World Games, visit the official website here. The official 2025 World Games website is here.