Disgraced snooker star qualifies for Crucible as AMATEUR after match-fixing ban

A disgraced snooker star involved in match-fixing is set to make a stunning return to the Crucible for the after qualifying for the tournament as an amateur. Zhao Xintong was in 2023 and is now set to make his return to the sport's most prestigious competition after coming through four rounds of qualifying.

The 27-year-old as he accepted charges of betting on a game he knew had been thrown. Zhao on separate occasions in March 2022.

The 2021 UK Championship winner was tipped for a promising career and had even reached number nine before his ban as he threatened to become one of the top stars in the sport. The match-fixing scandal stalled his career and the Chinese star has played on the Q Tour of last year.

His performances there earned him a place in World Snooker Championship qualifying. And after dispatching Ka Wai Cheung, Long Zehuang, Lyu Haotian and Elliot Slessor, Zhao has become one of 16 qualifiers to join the top 16 ranked players in the world in Sheffield this weekend.

Following his victory, he claimed to simply be in search of more wins to fight his way back to the top of the sport. Returning to the Crucible is a significant moment for the tarnished ace.

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Zhao said: “I’m very happy because I know the Crucible is very difficult to be back. I do it again, I’m so proud of myself. Hopefully I can really come back to being a top player. But I need more wins, so just try me best.”

Zhao made his return late last year and in Sweden in October. Upon his return to the sport, he said: “I am very happy because I have hoped for this day for a long time.

"I knew it would be very hard to get back on to the tour and I needed to play very well because all the players on Q Tour are really good. I went a long time without playing a competitive match and I have really enjoyed being back.

"To play on the tour, I need to be winning and gain some confidence. I will do my best to win this title, I am guaranteed to be on the tour next season now but I still want to do the best I can.

"I want to enjoy the matches but if I play well, I know I can be a champion against on the tour. I believe in myself so let’s do it.

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"Two years ago I made a little mistake, now I’ve come back. I know how important snooker is to me and now I just want to come back to the snooker table. These two years have been very long for me, I’ve practiced every day.

"I knew I would come back so I need to keep confident in myself. I believe that if I play well then I can beat anybody. I’m just going to try my best.”

Prior to his ban, Zhao had spent time practising with who suggested his sparring partner had the potential to be the greatest player of all time. The Rocket compared Zhao to tennis icon

Speaking in 2022, O’Sullivan said: “He could be the greatest of all time with his talent, his ability. I always say he’s Roger Federer with a snooker cue in his hands. He’s like me, he’s a quick learner."