Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee’s month of March in 2018 became even more memorable after being honoured twice in the space of a couple of days back home and across Asia.
On Yee only recently claimed her third Women’s World Championship title with a dominant performance in Malta that saw her defend her title without even losing a single frame.
Earlier this year, On Yee also reached the summit of the women’s world rankings for the first time in her career, usurping long-standing top female player Reanne Evans in the process.
The achievements haven’t gone unnoticed back home as she received a couple of impressive accolades that will surely only help to promote the sport in the region.
On Yee was first named “Best of the Best” at the Hong Kong Sports Awards in recognition of her achievements in 2017, which saw her claim five ranking event trophies, including the World Women’s Championship for a second time in Singapore.
The 27 year-old, whose friendly bespectacled face is quickly becoming the poster image for the sport on the women’s side, subsequently featured in the Forbes’ list of 30 under 30 Asia for the entertainment and sports category.
On Yee was recognised as one of the rising stars in the continent alongside high-profile names like Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama in golf and Olympic skeleton champion Yun Sung-Bin from South Korea.
On Yee tweeted on Wednesday: “I’m surprised, yet honoured, to be listed on Forbes 30 for 30 Asia 2018 with all the other amazing individuals from different categories!”
“(I’m) always proud to see Hong Kong Sports gain recognition (and it’s) definitely great fuel for my upcoming World Championship qualifiers.”
The next stop for On Yee will be the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, where three victories could see her reach the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre.
That remains a tall order but the coverage that she is garnered for women’s snooker can only be a positive thing in the long run and any success in the qualifiers next month would surely enhance that progress even further.
