Name: Zhou Yuelong
DOB: 24th January 1998
Nationality: Chinese
Turned Pro: 2014
Highest Ranking: 75th (2015)
Highest Break: 136 (2014 Australian Goldfields Open)
Career Highlights: 2014 International Championship last 32, 2015 China Open last 32, 2013 IBSF World Champion, 2014 AT2, AT3 quarter-finalist, 2012 Wuxi Classic last 32
Early Career
Zhou Yuelong gained his first experience of a professional event as early as 2012, as he played both Jimmy Robertson and Rory McLeod at the wildcard stages of the Haikou World Open and China Open tournaments respectively.
He gained further experience during the following season when still only 13-years-old he defeated professional Michael White at the wildcard round of the Wuxi Classic, as well as making further appearances at the Shanghai Masters, International Championship and China Open events.
2013/14 – IBSF World Champion
It was during the 2013/14 season however there Zhou really came to the attention of the wider world with his remarkable capture of the 2013 IBSF World Championship, where he defeated countryman Zhao Xintong 8-4 in Latvia.
During the campaign he was also able to reach two Asian Tour quarter-finals, as well as push Jimmy Robertson, Cao Yupeng and Alan McManus to deciding frames as a wildcard in further professional events.
2014/15
Zhou was to enjoy an impressive debut season as a professional, finishing as the highest ranked rookie, despite being the youngest of the 128 tour players.
Highlights included a last 32 run at the International Championship in his home city of Chengdu, before he later matched that run in Beijing at the China Open.
The youngest also reached the quarter-finals of the AT3 event as he finished with almost £30,000 to his ranking, leaving him well placed to fight for a top 64 place during the following campaign.