Snooker world champion Zhao Xintong has opened up about his ongoing health struggles, experiencing dizziness and vision issues during his matches. The 28-year-old Chinese player clinched the World Championship title in May after defeating renowned snooker players Ronnie O’Sullivan and Kyren Wilson along the way.
His remarkable 18-12 triumph over Mark Williams in the final at the Crucible established him as China’s first-ever world champion, setting high expectations for his performance this season. However, Zhao has faced challenges in achieving positive results. At the recent Northern Ireland Open, he suffered a surprising early elimination at the hands of Jordan Brown in a 4-0 loss. Zhao attributed his underwhelming snooker form to a health scare that emerged during the Xi’an Grand Prix, although he mentioned feeling improvement in his condition.
Reflecting on his recent struggles, Zhao shared, “A few days ago, I wasn’t feeling well, but I’m striving to recover. Today was particularly tough.” He described how his medication affected his concentration, leading to dizziness when playing and difficulty seeing long shots. Despite the setbacks, Zhao remains optimistic about his return to form, emphasizing his dedication to improvement and learning in the challenging sport of snooker.
Known as ‘The Cyclone’ for his rapid snooker style, Zhao is gearing up for his upcoming appearance at the International Championship in Nanjing, China, where he will face Oliver Lines in the initial round. Following his world championship victory, Zhao has secured lucrative sponsorship deals with prestigious brands like Hublot and Swiss Military, elevating his status in the sport. Embracing his newfound success, he expressed his enjoyment of the journey and the opportunities for growth that lie ahead.
As Zhao continues to navigate his health concerns and competitive snooker circuit, fans eagerly anticipate his resurgence in the sport. Sky has also announced exciting updates for the upcoming season, including a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle with increased live match coverage across various leagues for sports enthusiasts to enjoy.
