Ding Junhui in world snooker Hall of Fame

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01:12

Former world number one and Chinese snooker icon Ding Junhui has been inducted into the world snooker Hall of Fame at the annual World Snooker Awards ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in central London on Thursday.

Ding, who is currently ranked sixth in the world, has joined the league of extraordinary snooker players, becoming the 29th man to receive the prestigious laurel, which was incepted in 2011. The 31-year-old has won 13 ranking events and had a huge influence on the growth of snooker in China over the past 15 years.

He became only the second Asian to be inducted into the Hall of Fame after Thailand's Sindhu Pulsirivong, who is the current president of the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand.

Jason Ferguson, the Chairman of World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), hailed Ding as a “great ambassador” for snooker. “It is very difficult to comprehend the contribution Ding has made. He is a great asset to the sport,” he remarked.

File photograph of Ding Junhui in action. /VCG Photo‍

Ding, who won the World Cup with fellow countryman Liang Wenbo and the World Open this season, said: “It's amazing to receive this award. I think this honor belongs to everybody who loves snooker and to the fans and friends who have been behind me over the years. I hope that they can come to share the honor with me.”

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn was also inducted into Hall of Fame for his efforts in promoting the sport.

In Thursday night’s glittering event, the Rookie of the Year category was won by China's 20-year-old Xu Si, whose impressive debut season was highlighted by a run to the semifinals of the Indian Open.

(With input from Xinhua)