Zhao Xintong ’s remarkable victory at the World Snooker Championship is still causing a stir around the world, with the Chinese star recently returning to his homeland to celebrate his success. The 28-year-old has received a mixed reaction since his win, with many lauding the achievement and how he dominated the competition.

Zhao Xintong became the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship with a victory over Welshman and three-times winner Mark Williams at the Crucible Theatre on Monday, the latest chapter in Zhao’s remarkable rise and fall story.

China is edging closer to having its first world snooker champion after Zhao Xintong established an 11-6 lead over Mark Williams at the halfway point of the final at the Crucible Theatre.