Jonas Hunold/PDC Europe

Xiaochen Zong crowned China’s darts king again to seal PDC World Darts Championship return

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 10:52 AM ET

Xiaochen Zong reaffirmed his status as the leading light of Chinese darts by successfully defending his China Championship title in Shanghai on Sunday. The 27-year-old, known on tour as The Pandaman, battled through a high-quality field to secure the trophy and with it a spot at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship.

Zong has appeared at Alexandra Palace four times previously without registering a victory, but his performance in Shanghai underlined why many in China see him as the player capable of breaking new ground for the sport.

A demanding tournament format

The second staging of the China Championship featured 24 players – the top 16 from the China Pro Tour Order of Merit, with the top eight seeded, joined by the leading eight from the China Online Order of Merit.

Players were drawn into eight groups of three, with only the group winners progressing to the knockout stage. That raised the pressure immediately, and Zong’s campaign nearly ended before it began. He slipped to a 5–4 defeat against outsider Tianxiao Cao in his opening group match, leaving him on the brink of elimination.

But Zong responded in emphatic fashion, whitewashing his second opponent 5–0 to claim the group on leg difference and squeeze into the quarter-finals.

Favourites assert themselves

From the last eight onwards, matches switched to a set-play format more familiar to the global darts audience. The seeded names showed their class, each winning 2–0 in sets to reach the semi-finals without alarm.

The first semi-final saw Qingyu Zhan dominate Bin Zheng, rattling in clinical checkouts of 62, 64, 121 and 125 on his way to a ruthless 2–0 victory in sets without conceding a leg.

The second semi-final brought the heavyweight clash between Zong and Xicheng Han, both former World Championship qualifiers. Zong always held the upper hand, twice racing into 2–0 leads in sets before closing them out 3–1 to reach the final with authority.

Zong v Zhan – the dream final

The final produced the showdown Chinese darts fans had hoped for: the nation’s two standout players, Zong against Zhan.

Zong set the tone early, hammering in three 180s in the opening set and claiming it 3–1. Zhan responded in style, producing a 71 finish and a 14-darter to sweep the second set 3–0 and level the contest.

The third set proved pivotal. Zhan created chances but faltered on the outer ring, while Zong remained clinical with finishes of 67 and 89 to edge it 3–1.

Zhan again threatened a comeback in set four, surging into a two-leg lead with another 14-darter and then earning darts to level the match. But six missed doubles allowed Zong to break back and force a decider. From there, The Pandaman showed his composure, wrapping up the title with a steady 17-darter to seal a 3–1 victory in sets.

Fifth Ally Pally appearance secured

Zong’s triumph books his place at Alexandra Palace for the fifth time. While he is yet to claim a victory on the world stage, his success in Shanghai strengthens hopes that he may finally break his duck this December.

More broadly, the win cements Zong’s role as the standard-bearer for darts in China. By defending his national title and securing another World Championship berth, he continues to blaze a trail for the sport in one of its fastest-growing markets.

Results

Quarter-finals

Qingyu Zhan 2-0 Kehua Wang

Bin Zheng 2-0 Tong Xu

Xicheng Han 2-0 Jizhou Li

Xiaochen Zong 2-0 Jiepeng Xuan

Semifinals

Qingyu Zhan 2-0 Bin Zheng

Xiaochen Zong 2-0 Xicheng Han

Final

Xiaochen Zong 3-1 Qingyu Zhan

⭐ Xioachen Zong has qualified for his 5th PDC World Darts Championship.

'The Pandaman' has won the PDC China Championship, which sees him return to Alexandra Palace for the third year in a row. He'll be looking for a first win at the biggest event of the year. pic.twitter.com/EsxHsw7S5L
— Jetze Jan Idsardi (@JJIdsardi) August 24, 2025