MARK SELBY is the champion of the world once again…..

Mark Selby. Picture by Monique Limbos

The Jester from Leicester won his second world title in three years after he beat Ding Junhui 18-14 in an absorbing World Championship final.

Dominant throughout, Selby always led the match against China’s number one star and got to the winning line with a ruthless break of 74.

The night was made even sweeter for Selby as his favourite football team Leicester City were crowned Premier League champions just 13 minutes before the Leicester born star got his hands on the famous trophy.

Selby, who beat Ronnie O’Sullivan by the same scoreline to win his first world title two years ago, will remain the world’s number one star following his Crucible triumph.

Always highly thought-of in the game, Selby can now say he has the number of world titles to make him stand out in the history of the sport. And maybe more world titles could come his way as he seeks to dominate a sport which is thriving on a global stage.

His victory over Ding meant he became only the sixth player to have won the World Championship on more than one occasion at the famous Sheffield arena joining the likes of Steve Davis, Alex Higgins, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams.

Though Ding failed in his bid to become the first Asian to become world champion, he will take great heart after reaching the final for the first time and returning to the form which saw him win five majors in one season a couple of years ago.

Mark Selby. Picture by Monique Limbos

Selby’s Route to World Championship Glory

R1 – beat Robert Milkins 10-6
R2 – beat Sam Baird 13-11
QF – beat Kyren Wilson 13-8
SF – beat Marco Fu 17-15
Final – beat Ding Junhui 18-14