Sheffield: Zhao Xintong became the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship as the qualifiers won the amazing March title 18-12 in Monday's final.
Zhao won history at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre with an 11-6 lead at Sunday's meeting.
The 28-year-old is just a Chinese second world champion finalist, imitating Ding Junhui for the 2016 exhibition.
But despite Ding being beaten by Mark Selby last nine years ago, Zhao made a nerveless performance to beat three-time champion Williams.
He became the first world champion in Asia with a prize of $500,000 ($663,000).
Zhao said: “I can't believe what I did. It's very exciting.”
“I was very nervous tonight. Mark is still a top player and putting too much pressure on me. He is the best.”
Zhao won the 2021 British championship and he is one of the most unexpected world champions in the sport.
He has been an amateur since September as he continues to make a comeback after participating in the 2023 gambling scandal.
Zhao accepted a party from another player, who played two games in a controversy and bets on the game, which resulted in 10 Chinese players being punished, while Liang Wenbo and Lian Hang's lives were forbidden.
Zhao's executive amateur status means he has to fight in four qualifying matches to reach the main level of the World Championship in a long and long crucible, a walking distance from the Sheffield home.
Returning to the main professional tour next season, Zhao is just the third player behind Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy, winning the championship in the 48-year Crucible era.
Williams said: “It was a great game for me. But Zhao is.
“I admire nothing except for what he did, through the admiration of the qualifiers. He hasn't played in the game for two years, slamming everyone. There's a new superstar in this game.”
Despite Zhao's story, Asian snooker has been on the rise for several years.
The sport is very popular in China, with a national snooker academy in Beijing training the country's best young players.
Millions of Chinese fans are expected to watch the finals to witness Zhao's coronation.
Just 12 months ago, Zhao sat at home watching his ban on the world champion.
But his path to redemption has brought speed to speed through seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semifinals last week.
All-out “Tornado”
The Chinese feel produced the same outstanding performance to send Williams, 50, who bids for Snooker's oldest world champion.
Nicknamed “The Tornado”, Zhao won four of the first five frames, leading 15-7 at the afternoon meeting on Monday.
With the championship, Zhao was forced to wait for a few hours as Williams competed in the evening's final.
When the action resumed, the Welshman showed his courage and won the opening frame with a 101 break.
Williams comfortably took the second inning, resting for three centuries in a row, and won fourth place in accidental red caps.
Zhao may collapse with the pressure, but after Williams missed a simple red, the Chinese star seized the opportunity.
His ice-cool 87 breakthrough made the title blockade, and he held a Chinese flag high to recognize the crowd's praise.
China now dominates the men and women’s championships after Bai Yulu won the 2024 World Women’s Snooker Championship.
Zhao admitted that he had mixed feelings after defeating his “idol” O'Sullivan in the semifinals.
But he has no such doubts about ending Williams.
Compared to Snooker's idol Jimmy White, Zhao finished his left-handed by winning the left-handed never won the world championship.
The modest Zhao celebrates his victory against O'Sullivan through “Big Lunch”.
Crown as a world champion for the first time, demanding a more luxurious party.
He said, “I'm not tired. I'll probably have a drink tonight.”
