Kyren Wilson’s path to becoming world snooker champion in 2024 is a story steeped in resilience, family sacrifice, and personal growth. As he prepares to defend his title at the Crucible, his journey is a powerful reminder that success often rises from the ashes of adversity.
Years ago, Wilson was working behind the bar at Barratts Snooker Club in Northampton, having lost his place on the professional tour at just 19. The glamour of playing on the world stage was replaced by the grind of amateur events in run-down clubs. But despite setbacks, he held onto his dream. With the support of his then-girlfriend, Sophie, who shouldered financial responsibility while he rebuilt his game, Wilson took one final shot at snooker.
His family played a huge role. His parents, Rob and Sonya, remortgaged their home multiple times and even renovated a derelict house to build a snooker room. When his father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Wilson saw firsthand the emotional and physical toll it took on the family. But the adversity only deepened his drive.
A turning point came in 2015, when he reached the final of the Shanghai Masters. With his father’s 50th birthday party arranged in Tenerife, Wilson was torn. His family had spent their last savings to make it happen, only for his wife to lose the money. Despite the crisis, he stayed, and ended up winning the tournament, a victory that changed everything.
Over the following years, Wilson steadily built his career, reaching the world final in 2020. But personal struggles persisted. In 2023, his youngest son suffered a severe allergic reaction initially suspected to be a brain tumour. Around the same time, Sophie experienced a silent stroke, leaving her temporarily unable to move or speak. Remarkably, she regained her speech after a moment of shared laughter with a stranger in A&E.
If that weren’t enough, just three weeks before the 2024 world championship, Wilson’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She kept it from him at first, not wanting to affect his focus. Overwhelmed by stress, Wilson had a breakdown at home, which led to daily sessions with a hypnotherapist. This support helped him regain clarity and a sense of calm.
With his mind in the right place, he played some of the best snooker of his life, defeating Jak Jones 18-14 in the final. As tears streamed down his face, his family joined him, embodying what that title truly meant. To Wilson, the trophy wasn’t just his—it belonged to every member of his family who had been part of the journey.
Today, Wilson sits at world No 2 and has enjoyed further success, including another win over Judd Trump in a dramatic final. His rivalry with Trump seems to bring out his best. As he begins his title defense, Wilson’s hunger remains. But his perspective has evolved.
“I’m not ready to give up the tag of world champion,” he says. “But it’s not just me that’s world champion. It’s my whole family. We’re all world champions.”
