What Cue Does Zhao Xintong Use?
Short answer: The exact cue Zhao Xintong used to win the 2025 World Championship has not been officially confirmed. UK cue maker Gcues says it has made two cues for him, and the Italian workshop Sabetta & Gusmeroli has shown a custom cue made for him. He has also developed his own line of cue tips, marketed as Tongyi. Specifications have not been published.
| Spec | What we know |
|---|---|
| Maker | Not officially confirmed; Gcues and Sabetta & Gusmeroli have each made cues for him |
| Length | Not publicly documented |
| Weight | Not publicly documented |
| Tip | His own Tongyi-branded tips have been promoted; size not published |
| Joint | Not publicly documented |
| Source confidence | Medium on the makers; low on which cue he uses in matches |
The first Asian world champion
Zhao made history in 2025 as the first player from Asia to win the World Championship, and quickly rose to world number one. With that kind of profile, it is surprising how little official information exists about his equipment. Fans regularly ask online what he plays with, and there is no definitive answer from Zhao himself.
Cues made for Zhao
Two makers have publicly shown cues made for him. Gcues, a UK cue maker, posted about the two cues it had made for Xintong Zhao. The Italian workshop Sabetta & Gusmeroli also presented a custom cue it had built for him. Neither post confirms that the cue in question was the one he used at the Crucible, and professionals often own several cues, so we list both as associations rather than as his definitive match cue.
His own tips
Zhao has put his name to a line of cue tips, promoted as Zhao Xintong Tongyi tips, and UK clubs and retailers have begun stocking them. That interest in tips echoes Ronnie O’Sullivan’s view that the tip matters more than the cue.
How the cue suits his game
Zhao is a fearless, fluent shot-maker with a smooth, rhythmic action and an ability to pot from anywhere. That style is well served by a cue with a lively, responsive feel and a tip that grips reliably for side and screw. Without published specs we cannot say more about his set-up, and we would be wary of any site that claims precise numbers.
Why pros own more than one cue
It is common for top players to own several cues, from different makers, at the same time. They may keep a main match cue, a back-up for travel, and one or two they are testing. Makers are also keen to be associated with a world champion, so photos of a player holding a cue do not always mean it is the one he plays with in tournaments. That is why we are careful not to name a single maker for Zhao.
The rise of Asian cue makers
Zhao’s success has come at a time when cue makers across Asia are more prominent than ever. Thai makers such as Ton Praram and players like Sunny Akani are building cues for leading professionals, and Chinese manufacturers sponsor several top players. European and British workshops remain highly regarded, and Zhao’s own associations with a UK maker and an Italian workshop reflect how international the cue business has become.
Tips as a signature product
Launching a tip range, rather than a cue, is an interesting choice for a new world champion. Tips are affordable, used by every player and replaced regularly, so a name like Zhao’s can reach far more club players through a tip than through an expensive cue. If you try one, remember that tip hardness and shaping matter more than the brand.
Buying an Asian-made cue
Many of the most popular cues on sale today are made in China and Thailand, from large factories to small handmade workshops. Quality varies widely, so read listings carefully. Look for the shaft wood, the stated length and weight, the tip size, the type of joint and whether the cue is hand-spliced. Photos should show the grain along the shaft clearly. Be wary of listings that name a professional player without explaining the connection, as a player’s name on a listing does not mean the cue matches what he plays with.
Want a cue like Zhao Xintong’s?
- Start with the tip. Zhao’s own tip range shows how much top players care about it. This guide compares popular snooker cue tips.
- Know how to read a listing. With so many Asian-made cues on the market, it helps to know how to read a snooker cue listing before you buy.
- Browse widely. You can compare one-piece and jointed snooker cues at every price point on our sister site.
Frequently asked questions
What cue does Zhao Xintong use?
Zhao Xintong’s match cue has not been officially confirmed. UK maker Gcues says it has made two cues for him, and the Italian workshop Sabetta & Gusmeroli has shown a custom cue built for him. Which of these, if either, he used at the 2025 Crucible is not known.
Does Zhao Xintong have his own cue tips?
Yes. Zhao has developed a line of cue tips promoted under the Zhao Xintong and Tongyi names, which some UK clubs and retailers have started to stock. The tip sizes and hardness options have not been widely published in English-language sources.
When did Zhao Xintong win the World Championship?
Zhao Xintong won the World Snooker Championship in 2025, becoming the first player from Asia to win the title. He later rose to world number one, and his success has further boosted the popularity of snooker in China and across Asia.
