Hong Kong's Ng On-yee is new world champion in women's snooker

Ng On-yee joined an elite club of Hong Kong world champions when she won the top prize in women’s snooker in Leeds, England.

The 24-year-old Ng confirmed Hong Kong’s rise as a major power in women’s snooker as she beat England’s Emma Bonney 6-2 in the final of the WLBSA world championship. Bonney had earlier beaten another Hong Kong player, Jaique Ip Wan-in, in the semi-finals.

Ng made history on Tuesday in the semi-finals when she ended the reign of 10-time champion Reanne Evans, who narrowly missed the chance to play in the men’s world championship after losing 10-8 to Ken Doherty in the qualifiers.

“This is my first time winning this tournament, it means a lot to me,” said Ng, a two-time amateur world champion who came from 2-0 down in the final. “After winning in the semi-finals against Reanne Evans, I felt very excited because she has always been a role model for the ladies games.

“I wish I could be like her to take part in the men’s games.”

Ng’s victory in the WLBSA event puts her among the biggest names of Hong Kong sport – windsurfer Lee Lai-shan and cyclist Sarah Lee – as homegrown athletes who are best in the world at their respective codes.