VIDEO⟩ Titleholder's World Championship Run Ends at Quarterfinals

Postimees reports on the conclusion of the World Snooker Championship for China's reigning champion, Zhao Xintong. The talented player, who made history last year by becoming the first from China to lift the coveted trophy, saw his title defense end in the quarterfinals. He was defeated by England's Shaun Murphy with a score of 10:13.

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Reigning champion Zhao Xintong lost in the quarterfinals of the Snooker World Championship to Shaun Murphy 10:13.

Zhao's journey this year mirrors that of many previous champions who have found the task of defending their World Championship title exceedingly difficult. This challenge has proven too great for numerous predecessors, including notable players like Luca Brecel and Kyren Wilson in recent years. The pressure and expectation that come with being the reigning champion are immense, and successfully navigating the tournament for a second consecutive year is a rare feat.

While Zhao's performance did not result in a repeat victory, his achievement last year remains a significant milestone for snooker in China. His success has undoubtedly inspired a new generation of players and further elevated the sport's profile in the country. Postimees acknowledges the difficulty of the task and recognizes Zhao's considerable talent and past triumph, even as his 2026 campaign concludes earlier than hoped.

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Last year, Zhao became the first player from China to lift the famous trophy and hoped to defend his title this year.

This outcome, while disappointing for Zhao and his fans, is a testament to the high level of competition in professional snooker. Murphy's victory in the quarterfinal demonstrates the depth of talent in the sport, and the path to the championship remains fiercely contested. We look forward to seeing how Zhao Xintong and other emerging Chinese talents will fare in future tournaments.

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But as with 20 of his predecessors, including Luca Brecel and Kyren Wilson in the last two years, the challenge proved too difficult.