The Beijing Changping 2024-2025 "Liber Win Billiard Cloth" Duya Legends Tour Golden Nine Global Finals officially kicked off on Thursday in Beijing's Changping district, drawing nearly 600 athletes from over 60 countries and regions. The event will run through May 31.

The prestigious international tournament follows regional qualifiers held in Linhai and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and Zhengzhou in Henan Province, culminating in this week's grand final in the Chinese capital.

A national qualifying event took place ahead of the opening ceremony on May 22, producing the tournament's top 32 contenders.

Chinese snooker icon Ding Junhui, who also serves as the ambassador for Golden Nine, joined Duya Billiards chairman Qiao Bing at the opening ceremony to unveil the championship trophy. The tournament winner will take home a grand prize of 5 million yuan.