ROCKY ROAD TO GLORY

Wilson's rolled with the punches to reach top

- SHANE MacDERMOTT

WORLD champion Kyren Wilson believes his journey to the top has been like a Rocky film.

And now he has realised his boyhood dream, the newest 'King of the Crucible' is hungry to build a long-lasting legacy in the sport.

"The Warrior, 32, clinched his maiden world crown with a fine 18-14 victory over surprise package Jak Jones on Monday night.

All of his family's sacrifices paid off as he lifted the treasured trophy aloft with tears in his eyes.

His parents bought a derelict house, which had not been lived in for 40 years, because it had the potential to build a snooker room in.

And they had to remortgage multiple times to fund Wilson's development in the early days.

Now the sky's the limit for the world No.3, who is eyeing up multiple titles and reaching the rankings summit.

"It's like a Rocky Balboa story," said Wilson, who came close to walking away from snooker in 2013.