World Snooker Championship tribute

John Virgo, who won the UK Championship in 1979 and became a beloved broadcaster, passed away in February at the age of 79.

The tribute set a somber tone for the start of the tournament, where reigning champion Zhao Xintong is aiming to defend his title.

Despite his recent success, Zhao's career has been marked by a previous ban related to a match-fixing scandal, a topic that continues to spark debate among fans.

This year's championship is also being streamed on a new platform, expanding the sport's reach to a global audience.