The 2024 world champion has been criticised for what he did after completing a Crucible comeback
Stan Moody has blasted Kyren Wilson’s conduct following their clash at the World Snooker Championship. The 19-year-old Yorkshireman started his Crucible debut in explosive form with two centuries and two other breaks exceeding 80 to establish a 6-3 advantage against the struggling Warrior.
Moody stretched his lead further by claiming the opening frame of the evening session, only for Wilson to string together seven consecutive frames to crush the qualifier’s dreams of matching Ronnie O’Sullivan, the most recent teenager to triumph in a Crucible more than 30 years ago.
Wilson, who had been battling cue problems, marked his victory by punching the air in jubilation before turning to shake the youngster’s hand. Numerous onlookers felt the 2024 world champion’s response was excessive, and Moody is in agreement, describing it as “disgusting.”
Nearly three months on, he told Metro: “The celebration at the end, I thought it were a bit disgusting, to be honest. A world champion, world number two, I think it were a bit out of order, but it is what it is.
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“I think Shaun Murphy said that he’s got every right to do that. He has got every right to do it, but I think a lot of people looked at that and said he shouldn’t really be doing that.
“I wouldn’t have done that at his stage [of his career] against a young lad, first time there, but everyone’s different, you know? It obviously meant a lot to him to beat me, so good on him.
“I’m not bitter at all. He got to 10 first and it is what it is. Classy player and I’ll try to beat him next time.”
Moody, who had opportunities to build on his advantage against Wilson, reflected: “I missed a red to go 8-3 and it’s completely changed the match.
“If that red goes in, I’d probably win 10-3 because Kyren were gone. He couldn’t make 30. I know he were saying about his cue and whatever else, but if he were winning, he probably wouldn’t have been saying that.
“It were a chance missed, but I took a lot of confidence from it. Shutting out the world number two for all that time and making him go. That was probably the most positive thing I took from it.”
Moody’s forthright remarks suggest the young talent will not be overawed by his high-profile opponents as he sets his sights on climbing the world rankings from his current standing of 40 during the 2026/27 season.
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