Ding Junhui will make history on Sunday by becoming the first Asian snooker player to be ranked number one in the world, reports China Radio International.

"I am very proud," the two-time U.K. Championship winner told China state news agency Xinhua. "It's a great honor as a Chinese to become the world No. 1. To be world No. 1 to follow the steps of so many legendary players, it's really a great encouragement to my career."

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Ding earned the top spot despite losing 6-5 in a surprising upset to 100^th-ranked James Cahill in York, England Tuesday night during the U.K. snooker championship. He still earned enough points to overtake Mark Selby for the number one spot in the world when the rankings are revised this Sunday, December 7.

Australian Neil Robertson just missed out on getting the number one spot had he beaten Graeme Dott in the last 16 of the U.K. Championship, but his own 6-5 loss left him number two in the world.

After winning a record-tying five ranking titles last season, Ding will become only the 11th world No. 1 in snooker history. The other 10 were Ray Reardon, Cliff Thorburn, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Mark Williams, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Robertson, Judd Trump and Selby.

Snooker is similar to pool, except the table is larger and the pockets are narrower. The game also uses 22 snooker balls, which include one white cue ball, 15 red balls worth one point each, and six balls of different colors: yellow (2 points), green (3), brown (4), blue (5), pink (6) and black (7).

Ding added that he doesn't plan on taking it easy now that he has the world's top ranking in snooker. "It makes me work harder," he said.

TagsDing Junhui to Become First Asian World No. 1 in Snooker, Ding Junhui, snooker, U.K. Championship, Mark Selby, James Cahill, snooker rankings