White hails new world champion Wilson after Crucible triumph – ‘He blew everyone away’

Jimmy White said that Kyren WIlson “blew everyone away” at the World Snooker Championship after he clinched his maiden crown on Monday evening.

It is the first time that Wilson has won a Triple Crown event and could herald a return to his best form after winning only three ranking titles before this landmark achievement.

Wilson emerged as the best player of the tournament featuring snooker’s biggest names, and speaking to Eurosport, White remarked on how the Englishman had outstripped his opponents at every turn.

He said: “He had no form coming into this World Championship – nobody got close to him in this World Championship.

“Jak did at the end, [John] Higgins got within one or two frames, but he blew everyone away. He outscored everybody.”

With Wilson’s emotion plain to see as he celebrated, and even before the final frame had ended, White noted how hard he had worked to get to this point, and the disappointment he had suffered in previous tournaments.

He continued: “He has played some of the top players, like when he played Mark Allen in the Masters, he broke down in tears, pure disappointment because he wants to win. He is a winner, he tried everything he can.”

Alan McManus mentioned how the triumph was a joint success for his family, who were all in attendance for the win.

“What a tournament, what a finish. Credit first of all to Jak Jones, he was immense,” he began.

“He made a final of it, a proper final of it. All the way back to 17-14. If he had got that final frame, to 17-15, things might have just been different but credit to Kyren and his family, and especially his parents. I think it’s the night of their lives seeing this.

“He’s had to work at it, he’s had to work his socks off to get to this position, and every credit to him and his family.”

Like White, McManus recounted the path to victory for Wilson, with only a handful of successes, as well as some painful near misses.

He said: “He has also been the perennial bridesmaid. That’s been the story. He’s had some ranking events but he lost in the 2018 Masters final, then he lost in the Champion of Champions final the same year.

“Then he lost this final, four years ago to [Ronnie] O’Sullivan and then a recent Tour Championship final this year. He’s been runner-up so many times but this one makes it all the more sweet.”

Reanne Evans was another to pay tribute to Wilson’s determination, and his family’s contribution.

“A lot of heartache and tears, and blood and money,” she began.

“I’ve known his family for so many years, it’s so emotional. To see his mum and dad, his wife and his kids, they’ve all been there from day one. He’s a true professional, and he deserved it.”