Chinese snooker player Ding Junhui is ready to win his second consecutive Asian Games gold in the men's singles, said Ding after a training session at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation here on Saturday.

 

"I have been playing well in practice and I have an 80 percent chance of winning gold," Ding said.

 

"My goal is to become the world champion. I miss my parents a lot when on the pro-cricuit. I practise four hours daily and then watch some TV when I am on traveling. But I am enjoying the pro tour and would love to play as many tournaments as possible. I think I am doing pretty good by now."

 

The 19-year-old said his victory in the Northern Ireland Trophy tournament in August has boosted his career a lot, where he beat four top-ten players.

 

Ding won 30.000 pounds in prize money and is provisionally ranked No. 4 in the world after starting the season at No. 27.

 

Ding, who considers learning English as his immediate priority, turned professional in 2003 and is only the second player in the snooker history to win three ranking titles before the 20th birthday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2006)