Ding Junhui is a Chinese professional snooker player. He is the most successful Asian player in the history of the sport and widely regarded as the greatest Asian player of all time. Throughout his career, he has won 14 major ranking titles, including three UK Championships. He has twice reached the final of the Masters, winning once in 2011. In 2016, he became the first Asian player to reach the final of the World Championship.
Mark Selby (left) and Ding at the World Series of Snooker in Moscow, 2008
Ding Junhui at the 2013 German Masters
Ding with the 2014 German Masters trophy
The 2005 UK Championship was a professional snooker tournament and the 2005 edition of the UK Championship. It was held at the Barbican Centre in York, North Yorkshire, England from 5 to 18 December 2005. The competition was the second of six World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association ranking events in the 2005–06 snooker season, the first of the three Triple Crown events, and the tournament's 29th edition. It preceded the Malta Cup and followed the Grand Prix. It was broadcast in the United Kingdom and Europe on the BBC and Eurosport.
The Barbican Centre in York, where the tournament was held
Ronnie O'Sullivan (pictured in 2012) lost 9–8 in the second round to qualifier Mark King.
Steve Davis (pictured in 2012) won 9–6 against Stephen Hendry to enter his 100th career final.
Ding Junhui (pictured in 2009) defeated Steve Davis 10–6 to become the first player from outside the British Isles to win the UK Championship.