World Snooker champion Zhao Xintong isn’t the only Chinese player to make a statement after coming back from suspension this season. Zhao, 28, created history at the Crucible in May when he became the first amateur player to win the title, beating icons Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams in his last two matches to seal glory.
That was despite the event being held just eight months after he came back to the sport after being banned for his role in a match-fixing scandal. Zhao was one of 10 players sanctioned in the saga, despite not having actually played a direct role in fixing any outcome. That contrasted with the likes of Chang Bingyu, who admitted to deliberately losing to Jamie Jones at the 2022 British Open.
The 22-year-old claimed he “reluctantly” agreed to fix the clash after receiving a call from Liang Wenbo. His compatriot allegedly told him he had placed a large sum of money on Jones to win, and pushed him into agreeing to ensure the Welshman prevailed.
Chang was initially banned from snooker events for three years. However, that was reduced to two years after he received credit for his early admission, and he returned to the game in December 2024 at the Asia-Pacific Snooker Championship.
The former world No.62 showed no sign of ring rust as he won the tournament. Now, he’s sent an even stronger message to rivals with an impressive victory in a Wuhan Open qualifier.
Chang came back from 4-1 down to beat Daniel Wells 5-4. He notched breaks of 84, 60, and 70 as he stormed back from the brink, and now faces India’s Kreishh Gurbaxani on Thursday.
To beat a player of Wells’ calibre is a major statement from the young star. The Welshman played in the World Championship in Sheffield this year, losing in the first round to Shaun Murphy.
Wuhan Open qualifiers are currently taking place at the Leicester Arena. The tournament in China will be held in August, and Judd Trump will be the defending champion.
