New world snooker champion Kyren Wilson talks about his journey to his emotional victory at the Crucible, why he wants to be world number one and his friendship with darts player ‘Rapid’ Ricky Evans.
Wilson won his first World Snooker Championship title. 18-14 win over tenacious qualifier Jack Jones Monday at the Crucible.
His victory was long overdue for the 32-year-old Wilson, who has previously finished runner-up twice at Sheffield and the Masters, but many expect his incredible talent to be He was struggling to make his breakthrough.
Wilson beats Jack Jones to win World Snooker Championship
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Wilson, who is nicknamed “The Warrior.” “I think it will take some time to get used to it because the calls are non-stop.
“Hats off to Jack. He really pushed me until the end. But I felt like I needed to keep my emotions hidden. I had to keep trying to better myself and stay calm. “It was the only way to lose in the final.”I gave up emotionally, but I managed to hold myself together. ”
Wilson’s path to the top of the sports world was not an easy one.
After an unsuccessful first season on tour, he spent two years consigned to the amateur ranks, and when he joined the professional ranks in 2013, he thought it was his last chance.
His big breakthrough came when he fought through and won three qualifying rounds to reach the Shanghai Masters, making him the lowest ranked player in the last decade to win a ranking tournament, but one of the top 16 in the world. Even though he has risen to the top, he has not been able to win the title that was expected. Arrival.
“My mom and dad have completely sacrificed their lives all their lives,” Wilson explained. “They remortgaged their homes multiple times.
“They bought a derelict house that hadn’t been lived in for 40 years just because they could build a snooker room in the back. So let them be down and take this win with me. It was a great moment to celebrate. All the blood, sweat and tears were worth it.”
Wilson said he is looking forward to every moment of next year’s tour as he aims to become world number one.
“That world number one spot is something I would love to achieve, but it’s great to be part of history. What’s interesting to me is the number of names that won this trophy in 1925 and 1926. I’m looking at it.’It’s got a very long history and it’s obvious that my name will be there,” Wilson said.
“I said I’m not happy with just one win in my career. I’m 32 years old now and I’m in my prime, so I got my first win and I believe that’s the best win. ” It is the most difficult to win, but I hope there will be more wins. ”
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Sky Sports’ Cam Hogwood explains how the Snooker World Championship will move on from the tournament’s iconic Crucible
And as for the future of the Crucible, Mr Wilson said he hoped it would “never move” from Sheffield, despite having a capacity of just under 1,000 people.
He said: “It’s literally written, there’s pure theater there, it’s so intense, it’s so compact, the atmosphere is like no other.
“You can’t create the same impact in big, expansive venues, but there’s a huge demand for snooker around the world at the moment, so I can understand why there’s talk of that.
“It’s a great position for the game, but for me it was really important to make sure we lifted the trophy this year, because if there was ever a chance to lift this trophy it wasn’t at the Crucible.” I doubt the same effect will be muted. not. ”
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Check out some of Ricky Evans’ best and funniest moments from the World Darts Championship.
Wilson is a darts star and close friend of Evans, also from Kettering and the fastest player on the PDC Tour.
Evans, who reached the semifinals of the British Open this season, is known for his flashy costumes and walk-on music.
“It would have been great to be able to walk to the Crucible YMCA, but I think it probably wouldn’t have quite the same impact that a darts player can have,” Wilson said with a smile.
“One of the reporters asked me this week if I would overtake ‘Rapid’ Ricky Evans as Kettering’s most famous sportsman, but again, I would still say Kettering’s most famous darts player. I think I’m in second place.”
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