New world champion Kyren Wilson hopes to build legacy as one of snooker greats

Kyren Wilson is determined to build a legacy as one of the greats of the game after landing his first World Snooker Championship title with an 18-14 victory over dogged qualifier Jak Jones at the Crucible on Monday.

His win was a long time coming for 32-year-old Wilson, twice previously a runner-up in Sheffield and at the Masters, but who had struggled to make the big-time breakthrough that many believed his prodigious talent was due.

As is often the way with snooker, Wilson’s big moment came at the end of his worst season in a decade, beset by illness and injury within his family, all of whom were present to witness his display of emotion as he polished off the final frame.

“I’ve already said that I’d be disappointed if I only landed one,” said Wilson. “I believe I can become a multiple world champion. I can build a legacy in this sport and that’s something I’d like to have a good crack at.

“You sort of hunt for your first ‘triple crown’ event and there’s no better one to land as your first than the World Championship. I’ve had misses in all three but now I’ll always be remembered as a world champion and hopefully it can lead to bigger and better things.”

Wilson’s route to the top of the sport has been far from serene.

He spent two years consigned to the amateur ranks after an unsuccessful first season on the tour, and considered it his last chance when he got another crack among the professionals in 2013.

His major breakthrough came when he fought through three qualifying rounds to reach and win the Shanghai Masters, becoming the lowest player in a decade to win a ranking tournament, but despite ascending to the world’s top 16, the expected haul of titles have been slow in coming.

“It’s like a Rocky Balboa story,”