With “The Cyclone’s” victory demonstrating China's growing power in the sport, chair of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) Jason Ferguson insists that snooker’s inclusion in the Olympic programme is now realistic.

The 28-year-old was implicated in the sport's biggest match-fixing scandal before coming back from suspension to take the world title

Zhao Xintongs crowning as Asias first World Snooker Champion has put the focus on the growth of the sport in China; he beat Mark Williams 18-12 to clinch both the illustrious crown and a cheque for £500,