World number one Zhao Xintong has been named among Forbes China’s 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2026, alongside tennis star Zheng Qinwen and table tennis three-time Olympic Champion Fan Zhendong.
Announced on October 26, Zhao’s inclusion marks the first time a snooker player has featured on this prestigious list, although Ding Junhui appeared three times on its predecessor, the Forbes China Celebrity 100.
Reflecting on the influence and appeal of the three athletes in Chinese sport today, Forbes China wrote: “Among this year’s 100 honourees is a group whose achievements cannot be measured by revenue or valuation. Their influence lies not in the business world, but on the sporting stage, where they have taken Chinese athletes to the highest podiums in the world.
“They have not only expanded the scope and redefined the profile of Chinese excellence in a new era, but have also elevated the spirit of the Chinese people to a new level.”
Commenting on Zhao’s achievements, Forbes China highlighted his historic World Championship victory in 2025.
“Zhao Xintong defeated three-time World Champion Mark Williams 18-12 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in May 2025. He became the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship and the first Asian player to claim the title. He also made history as the first player to win the championship after coming through qualifying as an amateur. Over 29 days and nine matches, Zhao won 111 frames, setting a record for the most frames won by a champion in a single World Championship campaign. The long-awaited trophy that Chinese snooker fans had dreamed of finally found its way into Zhao’s hands as he reached the pinnacle of the sport.”
Zhao will return to action at the International Championship in Nanjing, which gets underway tomorrow.
