Who is Zhao Xintong? The Chinese ‘amateur' outshining Ronnie O'Sullivan at World Championship after ban
Zhao has been competing as an amateur since the end of his ban for being caught up in a match-fixing scandal
www.independent.co.ukHere’s the latest I can share based on recent public reports:
- Zhao Xintong returned to high-level competition after his ban ended in 2024 and has been competing on the amateur Q Tour, with notable success including multiple event wins and a high level of form in the 2024–25 season. This culminated in him earning full playing rights again for the following season [sources discuss his return and Q Tour results].
- In 2025, there was widespread coverage highlighting his return from suspension and rising form, including reporting that he won events on the Q Tour and made consecutive 147 breaks, signaling a strong comeback on the path to rejoining the professional ranks [sources discuss his post-ban achievements].
- Media around late 2025 and early 2026 continued to follow Zhao’s status, with articles noting health and form concerns affecting performance, but overall pointing to his ongoing pursuit of full professional status and potential World Championship contention given his past achievements [sources provide context on form and health updates].
If you’d like, I can pull in the latest headlines with direct links and summarize key developments (dates, events, and outcomes) in a concise timeline.