Kyren Wilson became snooker’s world champion back in May, but the Englishman was left off the shortlist for the Sports Personality of the Year award, a decision he is unhappy with
Snooker world champion Kyren Wilson has snubbed an invite to the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year awards and hit out at the decision to exclude him from the shortlist.
Wilson beat Jak Jones 18–14 at the Crucible to win this year’s World Championship, his first world title. He has also won the Xi’an Grand Prix and the Northern Ireland Open in the past year.
But those achievements were not enough to land him a place on the SPOTY shortlist. Instead, England star Jude Bellingham, darts wonderkid Luke Littler, runner Keely Hodgkinson, cricketer Joe Root, Para-cyclist Sarah Storey and triathlete Alex Yee will battle it out for the trophy.
Snooker has traditionally struggled for recognition in the Sports Personality of the Year awards, with Steve Davis the sport’s sole winner way back in 1988. And that has led to Wilson slamming the awards, as he revealed he would not be attending, despite being invited.
“A lot of the time in sport it’s about if your face fits, not necessarily the achievements. I think snooker stands in that bracket as a whole, not just me missing out. It was only recently that Ronnie got shortlisted,” Wilson told Sportsboom.
“What a sportsman he’s been and what incredible achievements he’s had over the years. When you compare yourself to that I’ve only managed to win one. He’s won seven and only been invited twice.
“I was invited to go along and participate in the event and celebrate my achievements, but I’ll be in Saudi Arabia for the 167 tournaments, so my attentions are on that. It’s one of the most skilled sports in the entire world.
“I just think some of the people don’t understand the sport or follow it like the likes of us do. They don’t understand what goes into being a professional snooker player. There’s a lot more to it than hitting balls and I think a lot of the organisations don’t see that.”
The awards will be held on Tuesday night at the BBC’s Mediacity studios, with the public too vote for their winner from the shortlist of six. Bellingham helped England to the final of Euro 2024, Littler reached the final of the darts World Championship, Root became England’s record Test run scorer, Yee was crowned both Olympic and World Champion in triathlon, Storey added two more golds to her collection at the Paris Paralympics and Hodgkinson claimed Team GB’s first Olympic track title since 2016.
The judging panel included five-time Olympic cycling champion Dame Laura Kenny, ex-runner Iwan Thomas, Paralympian Ade Adepitan, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha and Ireland rugby veteran Rory Best. Broadcaster Eilidh Barbour, sports journalists Laura Williamson (The Athletic) and Eleanor Crooks (PA Media), as well as Stephanie Hilborne – CEO of Women in Sport were also involved.
Representing the BBC were director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, head of sport content Philip Bernie and executive producer Gabby Cook. Kay-Jelski is delighted with the shortlist that has been decided.
He said: “It’s a fantastic shortlist. All six have kept us on the edge of our seats this year, showing us how sensational they are. I’m looking forward to reliving each of their successes on the night and finding out who audiences want to be crowned BBC Sport Personality of the Year 2024.”
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