Ding Junhui leads praise in China as snooker champion Zhao grants nation’s wish
‘Rise of Chinese strength’ hailed as Zhao clinches the prize that has eluded Ding himself
Chinese snooker trailblazer Ding Junhui has led the tributes at home after Zhao Xintong’s historic win at the World Snooker Championship, calling it their nation’s “shared dream”.
Ding, who has often felt the pressure of expectation that he would be China’s first winner of the global crown, used social media to congratulate his compatriot on getting there first.
“The darkness we once walked through, it was all so that people could see the light,” Ding wrote.
“Today Zhao Xintong did it! What he won is the shared dream of generations of Chinese snooker players.
“I’m happy for you and proud of the rise of Chinese strength!”
Zhao praised Ding in return for opening doors for him during the years when Ding shouldered the country’s hopes alone.