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.

Who is Zhao Xintong? Snooker's 'new superstar' makes history as world champion after ban - Zhao brushes aside legends Mark Williams and Ronnie O’Sullivan in dominant Crucible triumph following 20-mont

Zhao Xintong’s breakthrough win at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield is set to usher in a bright new era of Chinese stars. Zhao is one of five Chinese players who have finished the season in the world’s top 16, and one of 14 currently inhabiting the world’s top 50 – all but three of whom are under the age of 30.