‘I was talking b******s’ – Kyren Wilson says mid-match mind games with Jak Jones helped him become snooker world champ
KYREN WILSON has admitted he “talked b******s” to play mind games with Jak Jones during the World Snooker Championship final.
The Warrior beat the Welshman in the Crucible showpiece 18-14 to pocket £500,000 in winnings.
Wilson raced ahead in the early stages of the clash and was up 7-1 at the end of the first session.
But Jones fought back to end the second 11-6.
Despite failing to extend his lead, Wilson said he was happy with his session’s performance, saying: “I had in my head I wanted to get to 11 after being on seven, so it was just a little small target. Obviously target achieved.”
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry was confused as to why he was content with losing the session.
But Wilson has now revealed it was all part of mind games to get the better of Jones.
He explained to the Snooker Club podcast: “Basically I was talking b******s.
“I thought, I’ve got to fake it. Listen, we all watch it back. I knew Jak would watch it back, so I thought if he thinks I’ve reached my target.
“But I’ve faked it, of course I didn’t want to lose the session.
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“As soon as I said it I thought how can you plan to lose a session? It doesn’t work. But it’s theatre, sometimes you’ve got to fake it.”
The tactics worked as Wilson saw out the win and enjoyed a boozy party that continued long into the night.
With the snooker season now over until July, the 32-year-old has aspirations of becoming world No1 when he returns from his family holiday in Portugal.
Inside Luca Brecel's mad year since winning £500k
By Rob Maul
IF YOU became a world champion of your sport and pocketed £500,000 prize money, how exactly would you celebrate?
Maybe buy a nice car. Treat the missus. Go on a lavish holiday perhaps.
Well, Luca Brecel has done all of that and more – put simply, he’s had the time of his life over these past 12 months.
The Belgian Bullet was crowned King of Sheffield in May 2023 in remarkable fashion, despite no practice and having never won a match at the venue on previous visits.
Brecel immediately splash £250,000, half of his World Champs earnings, on a stunning red Ferrari 488 – which he admits he NEVER drives.
He has since lived the high life, exploring the globe with his girlfriend Laura, piling on the pounds with some fine dining and hangout out with an Arsenal star.
He even lost his Crucible-winning cue.
Find out more about Brecel’s incredible year…