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.

Who is Zhao Xintong? Snooker's 'new superstar' makes history as world champion after ban - Zhao brushes aside legends Mark Williams and Ronnie O’Sullivan in dominant Crucible triumph following 20-mont

With “The Cyclone’s” victory demonstrating China's growing power in the sport, chair of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) Jason Ferguson insists that snooker’s inclusion in the Olympic programme is now realistic.