Kyren Wilson's mum postponed cancer operation to watch him win Snooker World Championships

Kyren Wilson's mum postponed a crucial cancer operation to watch her son lift the Snooker World Championship earlier this year.

There were emotional scenes after Wilson lifted his maiden crown at the Crucible and it's since been revealed that his mum Sonya was diagnosed with Breast Cancer two weeks before he kicked off his charge to the trophy. The ‘Warrior’ then had to navigate his way to a first world title with the heartache of his mum’s illness weighing heavy on his shoulders.

Sonya, who was at the Crucible on that memorable night as Wilson lifted the famous trophy aloft, was also in the crowd to see him win the Northern Ireland Open with a 9-3 hammering of world No.1 Judd Trump on Sunday night. And Wilson reflected: “We found out around the World Championship – so to win that for her was amazing.

"We had just got back from holiday in Portugal. She knew beforehand but waited to tell us when we got home. Snooker comes second to that. Your health is your wealth.

“She actually postponed an operation to have a tumour removed. It was actually due around the semi-final for her to have the operation. She didn’t want to miss my match. That’s why I think you got an over emotional Kyren Wilson at the end of the World Championship.

“I ramped the pressure up on myself. You do start thinking silly things. You think: ‘What if? What if she doesn’t see me win it?’ I knew I had to make that one count. Who knows what would have happened to me if I didn’t make that one count? It is great I wasn’t in that position and we managed to celebrate.”

Kyren and brother Taylor, who is his manager, commemorated his world title triumph with matching tattoos. And his mum is going to get one of her own to fondly remember the famous victory.