Akagariyama will be playing in his first World Pool Masters after he shot to prominance in July 2011 when he won the WPA 9-Ball World Championship. A surprise run to the final in Doha ended in a dramatic 13-11 victory over Filipino Ronnie Alcano in the final.
Darren Appleton is one of top players in the world. He is the current US Open champion, has won a world title at 10-ball, represented Europe in the Mosconi Cup, captained Britain to world team glory and won the World Pool Masters title.
Francisco Bustamante is a legend in Filipino pool with his successes including being the Player of the Year in 1998. He won the 9-Ball World Championship in 2010 and has twice been in the Philippines team with Efren Reyes that has won the World Cup of Pool.
A two-time World Junior silver medalist, Chang Jung-Ling has enjoyed a fine 2011 that has included victories at the Beijing Open and Japan Open. He was part of the two-man Taiwan side that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup of Pool.
Ex-snooker star Tony Drago is regarded as one of the fastest pool players in the world. When he is on his game, few players can live with him. He has been in two victorious Mosconi Cup European teams.
Fu Jian-bo made his name in the 2007 World Cup of Pool when he and team-mate Li He-wen stunned the pool world to lift the trophy, defeating the Finnish pairing of Markus Juva and Mika Immonen 11-10 in a thrilling final.
After reaching the last 16 of the 2005 World Pool Championships, Raj played in the 2005 World Pool Masters and grabbed the opportunity as he recovered from 7-1 down to win a memorable final against American Rodney Morris and become the youngest Masters champion.
Mika Immonen is one of the finest players of all time and clinched the World Championship in 2001. He has also appeared at numerous Mosconi Cup, including in 2008 when he helped Europe to victory and won the Most Valuable Player award
Jason Klatt is hoping to cause a surprise at this year's World Pool Masters. He won the Canadian 8-Ball Championship aged only 20 and is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the game.
England's Chris Melling has enjoyed the best run of his career and has established himself as one of the best players in the world. Recent successes including victories at the 2011 China Open, the 2010 BCA Grand Masters and two eight-ball World Championships.
Tournaments
