Zhao Xintong speaks out after qualifying for the UK Championship following his ban.

This weekend, snooker fans will have the pleasure of seeing Zhao Xintong return to the big stage at York. After a 20-month ban from the sport, he is back and ready to prove himself once again. In a recent interview, Zhao acknowledged that he had made a mistake by being involved in the match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport.

At the age of 27, Zhao was banned for his involvement in another player's attempt to fix two matches and for betting on snooker matches himself. Along with 10 other Chinese players, he was banned from the sport in June 2023. However, his punishment was the shortest as he did not actually throw a match himself.

After his ban ended in September, Zhao returned to amateur snooker with a bang. He won two Q Tour events and even made two 147s in the process, becoming the first player to achieve this on that circuit. His impressive performances earned him a spot in the UK Championship qualifying rounds, where he defeated Sunny Akani, Jiang Jun, Noppon Saengkham, and Ricky Walden to secure his place in York. On Saturday, he will be facing off against Shaun Murphy in the opening round.

When asked about his time away from the sport, Zhao humbly admitted his mistake and expressed his gratitude for being able to come back to the snooker table. He also shared his belief that the past two years have made him appreciate the sport even more and have made him a stronger player.

In addition to his amateur success, Zhao has also lifted two titles on the amateur circuit, proving that he has not lost his touch during his absence from professional snooker. When asked if he had any words of advice for other players who may be tempted by corruption, Zhao urged them to learn from his mistake and to remember that playing snooker is a privilege and a great opportunity.

While two players were banned for life as part of the scandal, Zhao's ban was relatively shorter. He was also asked if he had been pressured into his involvement, to which he admitted that he had made the wrong decision under pressure.

During his time away from the game, Zhao continued to practice every day and remained confident that he would come back stronger. He acknowledged that the past two years have been difficult, but he is determined to make the most of his return to the sport.

Despite his immense talent and success on the amateur circuit, Zhao still had to face four tough opponents in qualifying this week. When asked if he was nervous about making his return to the sport, he admitted that he was still trying to get back into the tournament mindset and believed that he would only improve in the future.

The reaction to Zhao in York will be interesting to see, as he was once a beloved player for his unique style and exceptional skill. However, his involvement in the scandal may have damaged his popularity. When asked about this, Zhao simply stated that he is focused on playing snooker and not worrying about what others may think.

In the first round of the UK Championship, Shaun Murphy will be facing the challenge of playing against Zhao. When asked about his return to the sport, Murphy believes that Zhao has served his time and should now be able to move on with his career. He also acknowledged that Zhao's talent and sharpness on the table may pose a challenge for him. Despite the past, Murphy recognizes that Zhao has taken responsibility for his actions and has done everything right since then. He believes that this is a chance for rehabilitation and that Zhao deserves to be back competing in the sport he loves.

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