Zhao Xintongemphatic base Triumph of the world snooker championship Food the hope that sport will be included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, according to one of the men behind the offer.
Zhao, 28 years old, has become the first Chinese world champion When he beat Mark Williams In the final on Monday, a moment of breakthrough for a country in which Snooker exploded in popularity.
Advertisement
It came after he Snooker beaten Great Ronnie O'Sullivan 17-7 in the semi-finalsSending seven times champion with a session to spare the crucible Theater.
With the victory “The Cyclone” Demonstrate the growing power of China in sportPresident of the World Professional Billiars and Snooker Association (WPBSA) Jason Ferguson insists that the inclusion of snooker in the Olympic program is now realistic.
“Realisticly, Australia is a target,” Jason Ferguson told BBC on Wednesday.
“We are talking to all multi-sport bodies. There is a lot of policy involved, but the size of the snooker and the importance Cio (Olympic International Committee), someone has to look at this and say “it's now time to snooker”. “”
Advertisement
Snooker failed in the offers to be included at the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, but the growing global scope of sport, especially in Asia, could make it more attractive for the IOC.
Ferguson is in doubt that the triumph of Zhao, 28, in Sheffield this week, will further feed his growth in China.
Zhao Xintong was crowned the first Chinese world champion to the crucible (Mike Egerton / PA) (Pa Wire)
“This is one of the biggest opportunities that Snooker has seen,” he said. “The snooker in China is treated like any national sport. Seeing a world champion return to China a national hero will really send sport to another level.”
Zhao, aware of the importance of his victory in the national world title, already has eyes on silverware and surely enjoying the opportunity to show his skills on the Olympic scene.
Advertisement
“I realized that my victory is important for the Chinese snooker,” Zhao told the press agency in China Xinhua.
“I think I can win more tournaments in the future to attract more people to participate in this sport. I will get back and look forward to a brand new start to my career.”
Additional report by Reuters.
