World snooker champion Kyren Wilson plans to celebrate a momentous 2024 by partying in Macau with his nearest and dearest.
Wilson will end a lifechanging year playing at the Macau Snooker Masters at Wynn Palace where he is joined by seven-time Crucible king Ronnie O’Sullivan and UK champion Judd Trump as the headline acts. And the trip to the Far East is a family affair for the world champion, who will be cheered on by his biggest supporters, telling SportsBoom: “I play on December 27 so I’ve got Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day to get sloshed before I’ve got to play.
“My Chinese agent was at the world final and I said to him please let my mum and dad come this year so at least I can take my whole family out there. It was about trying to create that memory with the whole family this year. My mum and dad have sacrificed so much so I’m really looking forward to them seeing it.
“Wynn Palace did me a nice little birthday cake last year, they really spoiled me. It’s a wonderful place. The boys really enjoyed Christmas that way as well. The turkey is amazing out there. We’re going out with the Binghams so it will be nice to do it with them as well.”
Wilson, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on December 22, realised his boyhood dream by becoming world champion in May with a memorable 18-11 victory over Jak Jones. And the world number two has not rested on his laurels since pocketing the sport’s most prized possession, backing up his Crucible triumph with victories at the Xi’an Grand Prix and Northern Ireland Open – where he twice beat number one ranked Judd Trump to the title.
Parading the World Championship trophy at Stamford Bridge, home of his beloved Chelsea football club, and at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix are the memorable highlights during a deserved spell of celebrations — but he says the charity work he’s been able to do as world champion is what makes him most proud.
Kyren continued: “I’ve really enjoyed my time as world champion so far. I’ve got memories that will last for a lifetime which have come off the back of winning the worlds. But it’s not over yet. I want to keep thriving and keep enjoying it. Some of the standout ones I would say are taking the trophy to Stamford Bridge. I hosted a homecoming party in my local town where about 1,400 people walked through the door, and it was a last-minute thing.
“Taking the trophy to the Aston Martin pits at Silverstone was incredible. Taking it to Great Ormond Street Hospital to see the poorly children is up there. They were so fascinated by the trophy and they’re going through such traumatic times it was nice to give them something different to cheer them up.
“I’m with a children’s cancer charity called Be More Fab as well. There’s a little girl Florence who just won a Pride of Britain award, so I’m chuffed to see those guys doing well and I’m an ambassador for Jessie May, which is well known on the World Snooker Tour. If you can give a little bit back with the platform you have then it’s a lovely feeling to do that.”