The Snooker World Open Yushan unveiled
On the afternoon of March 17th, the 2024 “Huading Nylon” Snooker World Open in Shangrao, Yushan, Jiangxi, China was grandly unveiled. Some of the biggest names in snooker, including Ding Junhui, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, and Zhang Anda, walked the red carpet to mark the return of this classic event after a five-year absence.
The Snooker World Open, born in 1982, is one of the oldest snooker professional ranking tournaments, alongside the World Championships. The event came to China for the first time in 2012 and has been held in Yushan, Shangrao, Jiangxi since 2016.
In the 2023-24 season, four events, including the Shanghai Masters, Wuhan Open, International Championship, and World Open, are being held in China, highlighting China’s significant role in the world of snooker. The total prize money for the World Open has been increased to 815,000 pounds, with the championship bonus upgraded to 170,000 pounds.
Top players such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Luca Brecel, and Mark Selby are participating in the event, making it a crucial competition before the annual World Championships. The Chinese contingent, including Ding Junhui and Zhang Anda, is equally strong and determined to make a mark in front of their home crowd.
The return of the Snooker World Open to Yushan is a significant moment for the city, which has been working hard to establish itself as the “China’s Billiards Capital and World‘s Billiards City.” The event has attracted attention both within and outside the industry and is expected to bring vitality to the billiards city.
Leaders and guests, including Vice Governor of Jiangxi Province Shi Ke and Chairman of the Chinese Billiards Association Wang Tao, attended the opening ceremony, signaling the importance of the event for the region and the sport of snooker. With the stage set for a week of thrilling matches, fans can expect an exciting competition as players battle it out for the prestigious championship title.