Chalking up against the world’s best

China’s all-conquering female potters will defend their honor as queens of the green when the Women’s World 9-Ball Championship rolls into town from Dec 3-9.

Chinese women now dominate the game, with four players from the mainland occupying spots in the world’s top 10.

Current No 1 Chen Siming will defend her title in Sanya, with the ever-popular Pan Xiaoting — aka “The Queen of 9-Ball” — also a major crowdpuller and TV ratings winner.

“The tournament has been in China for the last 10 years and always attracts the world’s top players,” said defending champion Chen at the event’s launch in Beijing on Tuesday.

“It provides Chinese players with a platform to compete with the world’s best, which these days allows us to take center stage.

“The credit of our achievement also goes to the General Administration of Sports of China and the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA). With their joint efforts, the sport has grown in China and we have received better training, more exposure and more chances to play.

“We have showed the world the strength of Chinese 9-ball.”

To mark the event’s tenth anniversary in China, the seven-day tournament offers a total prize pool of $175,000, with the winner walking away with $44,000.

“With the support from the government and the fans, China now hosts the most pool and billiards tournaments and offers the highest prize money in the world,” said Liu Chunsheng, the CBSA’s deputy secretary general.

“There’s no doubt that the past decade has been a golden era for China’s billiards development. The sport is growing fast in China and we will continue to provide a better environment for it to grow.”

The tournament is making its debut in Sanya, with the area keen to build on its burgeoning reputation as a hub for sports tourism.

“We will present fans with a sports extravaganza and let more people learn about our beautiful city,” said Dai Yuming, Sanya’s deputy mayor.