KUALA LUMPUR: Lim Kok Leong has been magical with his cue this year — from winning the national title to winning a Sea Games gold and conquering the world.

In Antalya, Turkey, yesterday, the 27-year-old etched his name into the nation's sporting history by becoming the first Malaysian to win the International Snooker and Billiards Federation (ISBF) World Championship, or simply known as the World Amateur Snooker Championship.

The Penang-born, playing in the final for the first time in four appearances, whipped Iranian Amir Sarkhosh, also last year's finalist, 5-0.

Kok Leong's previous best was a quarter-final appearance in Doha, Qatar, in 2017, which matched the feats of compatriots Yong Kien Foot (Malta, 1992), Sam Chong (England, 1995) and Moh Keen Hoo (Syria, 2010).

"It has been a wonderful year, what I achieved this year is just beyond expectation. I would not have imagined becoming a world champion," said a delighted Kok Leong.

"This is not an easy feat. There were more than 100 competitors from 40 countries, and I'm really happy to come out on top and put Malaysia on the world map with this win."

Kok Leong started the year in style by successfully defending his national crown in March. Two months later, he bagged the six-red singles gold medal at the Vietnam Sea Games and finished second to Thai legend James Wattana in the men's singles (15-red).

In Kuala Lumpur last month, Kok Leong teamed up with Keen Hoo to win the World Amateur Team title for the second time, repeating their 2015 feat.

"I will not rest on my laurels. I want to take my game to greater heights," vowed Kok Leong, who first became a national player in 2014.

Looking at the illustrious list of past winners of the world amateur title, which includes English legend Jimmy White, Scotland's Stephen Maguire and Thailand's James Wattana, Kok Leong has what it takes to make it to the professional elite level.

Malaysian Snooker and Billiard Federation president Melvin Chia could not have been prouder of Kok Leong, whose victory proved that the country has plenty of talent but has gone untapped due to a lack of support for the sport.

"Kok Leong made the whole nation proud by accomplishing what no other Malaysian has done before," said Chia.

"He played so well in the entire tournament, and that's a reflection of his hard work. In fact, he has been brilliant all year long.

"As far as MSBF are concerned, Kok Leong's crowning as the ISBF world champion means a lot to us as a sport that is struggling for financial support.

"Hopefully, this historic feat will get the attention of the Youth and Sports Ministry and corporate sectors to play a role in developing this gentleman's sport."