‘The whole country is proud’: Chinese snooker fans hail Zhao Xintong triumph

Brother Yuan, once a cue enthusiast in Beijing, now marvels at Zhao Xintong's triumphant return to snooker after nearly two years. The 57-year-old, known for his passion, recently watched Zhao clinch China’s first snooker world title, sparking a nation-wide celebration that has brought new life to the sport across the country. With its vibrant support from fans and a resurgence in popularity due to the historic victory, snooker is experiencing a revival in China, with businesses like KO Snooker Bar experiencing record footfall as people cheer for their former champion.