Mark Selby of England celebrates victory after the final with John Higgins of Scotland at the World Snooker Championship 2017 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, Britain on May. 1, 2017. Mark Selby won 18-15. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
LONDON, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Mark Selby was named snooker's Player of the Year at the sport's annual awards ceremony here on Thursday night.
Leicester's Selby enjoyed a historic 2016/17 season, winning a record equalling five ranking events: the Paul Hunter Classic, International Championship, UK Championship, the China Open and the World Championship.
The 33-year-old potter, who won his third world title earlier this week, smashed the record for the most prize money earned in one season, banking 932,000 pounds, and extended his vast lead at the top of the world rankings.
Selby also took the Snooker Journalists Player of the Year and Fans Player of the Year awards, which included votes from fans on social media.
China's Yan Bingtao, 17, won the Rookie of the Year award after a tremendous debut season which saw him reach the last 16 of seven ranking events, climb to 56th in the world and earn a first appearance at the Crucible.
The Magic Moment of the Year category was won by Mark King for the emotional speech following his maiden ranking tournament victory at the Northern Ireland Open.
The Performance of the Year award went to Anthony Hamilton as he scored his first ranking event triumph at the German Masters at the age of 45.
Ten-time ranking event winner Jimmy White was inducted into snooker's Hall of Fame, alongside broadcaster and journalist Clive Everton.
The awards ceremony was held at the Dorchester Hotel in Central London.
