If anyone else was glued to this year's World Snooker Championship, they might have been confronted by a nagging question: just what should we make of Zhao Xintong?
The 28 year-old became China’s first snooker world champion by beating class-of-ninety-two legend Mark Williams in a one-sided final. Xintong wrapped his native flag around himself as he lifted The Silver Lady, the sport’s most coveted trophy.
He became the first amateur to win The World Championship, having had to start his run in qualifying, winning four matches in order to even reach the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. It is perhaps a mark of how long his run lasted that golfer Rory McIlroy had not even won The Masters when he took his first break off shot, beginning his month-long marathon which saw him win 111 frames.
Age, sport & the Christian hope of a new body
This year’s Masters snooker tournament at Alexandra Palace provided plenty of intrigue, as well as an interesting point for reflection …