Neil Robertson has criticised the newest additions to the World Snooker Tour Corridor of Fame following the inductions of Zhao Xintong and Mark Allen.
The pair have been among the many headline winners within the annual WST awards, with Zhao additionally amassing the Participant of the 12 months prize after a exceptional 2025/26 marketing campaign.
However the resolution to induct each gamers into the Corridor of Fame has generated widespread debate amongst followers and figures throughout the sport.
Robertson reacted strongly on social media after the announcement was made public, questioning whether or not Corridor of Fame standing is being awarded too shortly to energetic gamers.
“Many others together with myself acquired in after we have been in our 20/30’s,” Robertson, who was inducted in 2013, wrote on X.
“[It’s] completely ridiculous when the true huge hitter sports activities have individuals with stellar careers get in when they’re of their mid 40’s or 50’s.”
“It must be one thing that’s earned via many years of labor and fame.
“Don’t get me flawed, I’m proud to be in it. Nevertheless it looks like a given in case you have a half-decent profession, which it’s not meant to be about that in my view.”
The feedback have resonated with many supporters on-line, significantly in relation to Zhao’s inclusion on the age of simply 29.
Whereas few would dispute Zhao’s immense expertise and achievements, some followers have questioned whether or not a Corridor of Fame induction ought to arrive so early in a participant’s profession.
Others pointed to the truth that Zhao solely returned from a 20-month suspension in late-2024 following his involvement within the Chinese language match-fixing scandal.
Since then, nevertheless, the previous UK champion has produced one of the vital fast spells of ascendancy in fashionable snooker.
Zhao gained the 2025 World Snooker Championship as an novice after rising from the opening spherical of qualifying, turning into the primary qualifier to triumph on the Crucible since Shaun Murphy in 2005.
He then dominated the second half of the 2025/26 season, profitable 4 extra titles together with a clear sweep of the celebrated Gamers Sequence occasions – the World Grand Prix, Gamers Championship, and Tour Championship.
Zhao additionally captured the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, climbed to a career-high of quantity three on the earth rankings, and have become solely the third participant after Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan to earn greater than £1 million in prize cash throughout a single season.
Nonetheless, some observers really feel that Corridor of Fame standing must be reserved for gamers who’ve constructed an extended legacy throughout many years slightly than seasons.
The controversy has intensified lately with energetic world champions persevering with to obtain on the spot inductions.
Each Luca Brecel and Kyren Wilson have been added to the Corridor of Fame shortly after their Crucible successes regardless of nonetheless being comparatively younger within the sport.
Allen’s inclusion has additionally sparked some dialogue, though to a lesser extent.
The 40 year-old from Northern Eire is a former world primary and has gained 12 rating titles, however some supporters questioned whether or not the Pistol has achieved sufficient to warrant being recognised.
Away from the controversy, Zhao’s success through the latest snooker season was mirrored in the remainder of the WST awards.
Along with claiming the WST Participant of the 12 months prize, Zhao additionally picked up the Journalists’ Participant of the 12 months award.
Wu Yize gained the Followers’ Participant of the 12 months award after his breakthrough marketing campaign culminated with an 18-17 victory over Murphy within the World Championship remaining.
O’Sullivan obtained the Efficiency of the 12 months award for his astonishing semi-final show in opposition to Chris Wakelin on the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, the place he compiled two most breaks in the identical session alongside two extra complete clearances.
Jack Lisowski collected the Magic Second of the 12 months award after beating Trump 9-8 within the Northern Eire Open remaining to safe his maiden rating title.
In the meantime, Chang Bingyu was named Breakthrough Participant of the 12 months and 15 year-old Polish prospect Michal Szubarkzyk earned the Rookie of the 12 months accolade.
Featured picture credit score: WST
