Ding Jun Hui’s remarkable capture of the China Open title is set to spark a snooker boom in his native country which could take the sport into uncharted global territory.
Ding, who turned 18 last week, was selected as a wildcard to compete in the event and made an extraordinary run to the final before beating seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry 9-5 to claim the trophy.
It brought the 1,500 spectators at Beijing’s Haidian Stadium to their feet for a long, rapturous standing ovation as they hailed a new Chinese sporting hero.
And Ding’s victory marks an important step forward for the professional game in a much sought after marketplace.
China is emerging as a key sporting nation, with international golf and tennis events already a regular fixture.
Beijing hosts the Olympic Games in 2008 and sport is very much of growing interest to the local population.
Snooker has been traditionally UK and Ireland-dominated, with all but two of the current season’s major tournaments taking place in Ireland or Britain.
However, all that could change if Ding’s success ignites the interest that is already present in China, with more than 250 clubs in Beijing alone.
Ding honed his craft by practising at a snooker academy in Rushden alongside a number of other Chinese players, who will now be inspired to follow in his footsteps.
“In the future, more and more Chinese will win tournaments,” Ding predicted after his title triumph.
“There are already many players living in Britain and playing on the Challenge Tour. They are all of a similar level and are getting better.
“The two years I’ve spent living in the UK have helped me a lot. I probably couldn’t have won this tournament if I hadn’t been there.”
Such is the impact of Ding’s success that World Snooker, the game’s governing body, has confirmed the tournament will return in a year’s time, with the possibility of further events in the region.
One bizarre result of Ding winning is that he receives no prize money or ranking points as wildcards are not eligible for either.
He was originally slated to play in the qualifiers but was put straight through to the final venue to ensure the local supporters would see him in action.
So even though he won the title, he falls four places to 54th in the provisional rankings and will still have to pre-qualify for all but the China event next season.
But Hendry, who was chasing a 37th ranking title, found it hard to be sympathetic.
“It seems harsh on Ding but go and ask the 16 qualifiers who had to play an extra round against the wildcards here what’s harsh,” Hendry said.
“I know it’s important to have Chinese players here but I didn’t agree with how it was done. But that’s history now. He’s won the tournament so good luck to him.”
Hendry was flying home today hoping for better fortune at the last event of the season, the Embassy World Championship, which starts on April 16.
However, fans hoping to see Ding in action at the Crucible will be disappointed – he lost his opening match in the qualifiers two months ago.