FINAL WORD

Wilson sheds nearly-man tag to claim world crown

KYREN WILSON burst into tears last night as he dedicated his maiden World Championship to his family following a year from hell off the table.

Devoted family man Wilson’s wife Sophie suffered a silent stroke due to stress after son Bailey fell seriously ill.

The Warrior (32) has been a man on a mission in Sheffield this year.

And the twelfth seed withstood a spirited comeback from Welsh qualifier Jak Jones as he realised his boyhood dream with an 18-14 victory.

Fuelled by salmon and deep sleep, with the help of a hypnotherapist, Wilson found the winning formula to land the £500,000 top prize.

Rise

Having reached at least the Crucible quarter-finals every year in a painful sixseason spell from 2016, Wilson ditched his nearly-man tag in front of his nearest and dearest.

And it was third time lucky in his quest for a Triple Crown major as he banished the heartache of a 2018 Masters defeat to Mark Allen and 2020 Crucible showpiece loss to Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The emotional champion, who will rise to world No.3, said: “It means so much to all of us. We’ve remortgaged, sacrificed our whole lives to get here.

Worse

“It’s a massive team effort. One of the worst things is watching myself cry at the Masters after losing, and this will be even worse.

“I said I wouldn’t cry again, but it means so much to us.”

Having resumed 11-6 behind, after suffering a 7-1 first session — the worst since Jimmy White against John Parrott in 1991, Jones threatened to make it close in the penultimate session as breaks of 64, 59, 90 and 73 closed the gap to 13-10.

But Kettering potter Wilson dug deep to clinch the final two frames heading into the evening to hold a comfortable 15-10 cushion.

Silent Assassin Jones won four out five frames, with Wilson’s coming on a respotted black, to close the gap to 17-14 with breaks of 105, 67 and 98.

Nerve

But Wilson eventually held his nerve to clinch the title with a 42 visit.

World No.44 Jones, a 200/1 pre-qualifying outsider, was bidding to become the first qualifier since Shaun Murphy in 2005 to lift the trophy.

The surprise package will be in the top 16 next season for the first time in his career after his remarkable run.

After banking €230,000, the runner-up said: “I just have to congratulate Kyren and his family.

“They deserve it so much. It’s been an unbelievable tournament for me.”