Chang Bingyu earned £172,000 from the World Championship qualifying rounds, despite being banned for match-fixing. This remarkable figure comes after he reached the third stage of qualifying before losing 10-8 to Luca Brecel.
During the qualifying stage, Chang impressed fans and critics alike by producing a stunning 147 maximum break. This achievement contributed significantly to his earnings, as he received a £147,000 bonus for achieving two maximum breaks in the season’s Triple Crown events.
Additionally, Chang was awarded another £15,000 for having the highest break at the World Championship. His performance has sparked discussions about talent overshadowed by controversy.
The young player faced a 20-month ban due to a match-fixing scandal that rocked the snooker community. Chang admitted to fixing a match at the 2022 British Open under pressure from Liang Wenbo. The scandal involved ten Chinese players and led to lifetime bans for Liang Wenbo and Li Hang.
Since his return from suspension in December 2024, Chang has shown resilience by winning the Asia-Pacific Championship and finishing as runner-up in the 2025 Scottish Open. Shaun Murphy praised his performance after one of their matches, stating, “That was as good as anything I’ve ever witnessed in my 35 years playing snooker.” Murphy added that it was “the best performance in a best-of-seven match that I’ve ever seen.”
As Chang continues to navigate his career post-ban, observers are keenly watching how he will build on this momentum. His journey reflects not only personal redemption but also broader themes within professional sports regarding accountability and second chances.
