Zhao Xintong lifts snooker’s UK Championship

China’s Zhao Xintong defeated Luca Brecel 10-5 to clinch snooker’s UK Championship crown in York on Sunday and vowed to celebrate with a karaoke party.

“I will go home and have a good sleep, and maybe tomorrow I will sing karaoke,” said 24-year-old Zhao who is based in Sheffield.

“I will do the song ‘We Are The Champions’.”

Zhao and Brecel had ripped up the form books in their respective semi-finals, Brecel firing four centuries in a 6-4 win over Kyren Wilson, while Zhao compiled six breaks in excess of 70 to sink Barry Hawkins.

Zhao earned his first ranking title and became only the fourth non-British winner of the event. The result moves him up to ninth in the world rankings. (AFP)