Calls for Kyren Wilson to be given freedom of his home town after stunning £500,000 World Snooker Championship triumph
KYREN WILSON should be given the freedom of Kettering following his World Snooker Championship triumph, claims a Labour councillor.
The Warrior, 32, defeated Jak Jones 18-14 at The Crucible to seize glory in Sheffield.
The Kettering-born star has stayed true to his roots, and can regularly be found playing pool in his home town.
Labour Town Councillor Clark Mitchell believes that Wilson should be rewarded by Kettering for his remarkable success.
He said: “It’s about showing Kyren the town is proud of him.
“We need to do something to acknowledge this, because otherwise it could just go away and we can’t let that happen.”
On how The Warrior has brought his town together, Mitchell added: “On Monday night, I went to three different pubs in Kettering, all three pubs had the snooker on.
“Everybody was telling stories about how they’d met Kyren, and, in the final one, there was someone pointing out the chair where he sits when he comes in with his friends.”
Wilson’s victory could also be added to Kettering’s “walk of fame”.
Should it make the cut, Wilson’s Crucible triumph will join Kettering FC’s formation in 1872.
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Following his win, Wilson enjoyed a boozy afterparty.
The festivities included karaoke and a joke about Barry Hearn.
After seeing the veteran promoter chatting with the beaten finalist, Wilson quipped: “I’d like to start by saying what an amazing tournament Jak Jones has had… Barry’s just trying to sell him something!”
Wilson – who scooped the £500,000 top prize – cried tears of joy after beating Jones before sharing a hug with his brother and two sons.
And during his emotional post-match speech, he dedicated his victory to his family.
Wilson said: “I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was six-years-old. I’ve got my six-year-old and nine-year-old here with me.
“Hopefully, it inspires the next generation that it don’t matter how many times you get knocked down it’s about how many times you keep getting back up.
“Me and my family have had to work very hard for this moment, we’ve had a tough couple of s*** years.
“My dad’s there, my mum’s there – can you turn your flashlight off mum, please?!
“Lifting that beautiful Silver Lady in front of all my family, all of my friends, everyone that means the world to me.
“Everyone that’s helped me on this incredible journey. Listen, it means the absolute world to me.
“It still hasn’t sunk in… it probably will after another ten Peroni’s!”
