Kyren Wilson

Bio

Kyren Wilson achieved his lifelong goal of winning the World Championship in 2024 by defeating Jak Jones 18-14 in the final at the Crucible Theatre.

Arriving in Sheffield as the 12^th seed after a relatively quiet season, Wilson defeated Dominic Dale, Joe O’Connor and four-time champion John Higgins to reach the one-table setup for the fourth time in his career.

A 17-11 victory over David Gilbert then saw Wilson reach his second world final, having previously lost to Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2020, and ‘The Warrior’ won the opening seven frames of the title match against Jones before eventually running out an 18-14 victor to become to Crucible’s 23^rd champion.

The victory saw Wilson rise to third in the world rankings and he has also compiled five maximum breaks during his career, including at the Crucible Theatre where he became one of only ten players to achieve a 147 at the venue in 2023.

Breakthrough

From Kettering, the Englishman first turned professional for a single season in 2010, before regaining his place on the World Snooker Tour in 2013.

Having reached the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters in 2013, the tournament would see him claim his first ranking title two years later as he defeated countryman Judd Trump 10-9 to become the lowest ranked player to win a ranking event since Ding Junhui in 2005.

Wilson added the 2018 Paul Hunter Classic, 2019 German Masters and 2020 Championship League titles to his collection – completing a unique double by twice claiming the Championship League title in Milton Keynes, both when the event was staged as a ranking tournament, and later as an invitational competition. During the latter edition, he also broke the record for the most century breaks made in a single tournament – his 23 eclipsing the previous record of 22 set by Neil Robertson in the same tournament in 2014.

He also reached the final of two Triple Crown events, the 2018 Masters and 2020 World Championship, losing out to Mark Allen and Ronnie O’Sullivan respectively in the finals.

A 9-3 victory over Barry Hawkins in the final of the 2022 European Masters saw ‘The Warrior’ bring his ranking event title tally to five.

From Crucible Contender to World Champion

He first qualified for the final stages of the World Championship in 2014 and quickly established himself as a regular contender by reaching at the one-table setup on three occasions prior to his 2024 win.

In 2020 he reached the final for the first time in his career. Having received a walkover in the opening round following the withdrawal of Anthony Hamilton, he defeated Martin Gould, defending champion Judd Trump and Anthony McGill 17-16 in an epic semi-final to move to within one match of the title.

Awaiting him was Ronnie O’Sullivan and despite Wilson’s recovery from 8-2 down to trail 10-7 overnight following the second session, it was O’Sullivan who would prevail to take a sixth world title with an 18-8 victory.

It looked as though he would earn another crack at the title match the following year in 2021, but having led Shaun Murphy 10-4 during their semi-final encounter, it was the 2005 champion who recovered to win 17-12.

Following two consecutive losses at the last 16 stage in 2022 and 2023, Wilson joined the prestigious club of world champions in 2024 by defeating Jak Jones 18-14 in the final at the Crucible Theatre.

Off-table

Away from the baize Wilson is married to Sophie, with the couple having two children together (Finley and Bailey).

Career Honours

WST Ranking Event Titles (8)

• 2024/25: Xi’an Grand Prix, Northern Ireland Open
• 2023/24: World Championship
• 2022/23: European Masters
• 2020/21: Championship League
• 2018/19: Paul Hunter Classic, German Masters
• 2015/16: Shanghai Masters

Professional Non-Ranking Event Titles (3)

• 2020/21: Championship League
• 2018/19: 6-Red World Championship
• 2017/18: World Games