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.

Mark Williams spoke out after losing to Zhao Xintong in the World Snooker Championship final on Monday night and compared the Chinese player to darts superstar Luke Littler. The Welshman was unable to compete with Zhao’s confident display in the showpiece match as he lost the encounter 18-12.

Zhao Xintong was crowned China’s first world snooker champion on a defining night for the sport in Sheffield and his vanquished opponent Mark Williams believes the sky is the limit for the new Crucible king.