China's Zhao Xintong's maximum 147 break in a small club in Sweden shone a spotlight on the snooker satellite tour that seldom hits the headlines but is essential to the sport’s constant need for fresh talent and growth in new markets.

China's Zhao Xintong wins his first tournament since returning from a ban for his involvement in snooker's biggest match-fixing scandal.

Zhao Xintong is returning to snooker after serving his ban for his part in a serious match-fixing scandal, although it will only be on the amateur circuit for now. 10 players were hit with bans in June last year, with Zhao handed the shortest of the punishments which expired on 1 September 2024.

China's Zhao Xintong bounced back from his recent ban following a match-fixing probe to rattle in the first maximum 147 break at a World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association (WPBSA) Q Tour event on Saturday as he seeks to get back into the pro ranks.

Zhao, winner of the UK Championship in 2021, was suspended in January 2023 then sidelined for more than 18 months. Read more at straitstimes.com.

China's Zhao Xintong knocked in a maximum 147 break in a 4-1 WPBSA Q Tour win against Shaun Liu. Zhao recently returned to the game following a suspension given last year when he was one of 10 Chinese players banned as part of the sport's biggest match-fixing scandal.

Zhao Xintong continues his bid to return to snooker’s professional ranks and is doing so in style, making a 147 at Q Tour Event 3 in Sweden on Saturday. The former UK Championship winner returned from his ban from the sport last month at the second Q Tour event of the season.