Snooker World Championship 2024: Kyren Wilson Claims Victory as New World Champion
Kyren Wilson, affectionately known as 'The Warrior,' from Kettering, Northamptonshire, has made history by winning the 2024 Snooker World Championship. The 32-year-old triumphed over Jak Jones in a thrilling final, securing a well-deserved victory with a score of 18-14.
Before his incredible win, Wilson had a remarkable season in the 2024-25 campaign. He dominated the circuit with multiple tournament victories, including the Xian Grand Prix, Northern Ireland Open, German Masters, and Players Championship. Wilson also reached the finals and semi-finals of prestigious events such as the Masters, UK Championship, and British Open. These impressive performances earned him the number 1 seed for the World Championship.
Wilson's success during the season saw him amass a total of four tournament wins, outperforming other top players like Judd Trump (3 wins) and Mark Selby (2 wins). These victories contributed significantly to his rise in the WST World Rankings, moving him up to 3rd position following his World Championship win.
Prior to this season, Wilson had established himself as a top professional player, consistently reaching the latter stages of major ranking tournaments. Notably, in 2020, he reached the final of the Snooker World Championship but lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan.
In a post-match interview, an emotional Wilson expressed his disbelief at winning the title, dedicating his victory to his family, particularly his wife who had to surrender her driver's license due to epilepsy and a subsequent stroke. Wilson's son was hospitalized last year and will soon undergo surgery for a broken nose.
The final between Wilson and Jones was the last match Rolf Kalb commented on before his retirement. Kalb, a legendary commentator who has been commentating on snooker matches on Eurosport since 1989, retired after the match. Judd Trump, Ronnie O'Sullivan, and Kyren Wilson himself expressed admiration for Kalb in farewell messages.
Wilson's win earned him £500,000 (approx. €583,981) in prize money, making him the 23rd player to win the title in the Crucible era. The Q School, where amateur players can qualify for the Main Tour of the WST, will begin on May 21.
With this victory, Wilson joins an illustrious list of snooker greats that includes Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams, Ronnie O'Sullivan, and Judd Trump. Wilson's journey to the top of the snooker world has been filled with challenges, but his determination and resilience have shone through, making him a formidable contender on the circuit.
What about the next sports season, will Kyren Wilson continue his dominant performance?With his family's support and determination, Kyren Wilson could potentially claim multiple tournament victories once again.
