Kyren Wilson revealed salmon and sleep have been the keys to his success during his mission to win a maiden World Championship.
The determined Warrior, 32, was the first man to book his spot in this year’s Sheffield showpiece with a convincing 17-11 victory over qualifier Dave Gilbert. And he is ready to realise a boyhood dream and banish the pain of being crushed by Ronnie O’Sullivan in the 2020 final after joining forces with a hypnotherapist.
“It’s like groundhog day,” admitted Wilson, who missed fellow potter Oliver Brown’s wedding day as he reached a second Crucible final. “It’s such a long tournament, you lose what day it is. You’ve got to keep doing the right things, waking up at the right time, eating the right foods.
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“I’m going to grow gills I think with how much salmon I’ve eaten! I’ve been working with a few people to help me with things. I’ve been working on the mental side.
“I’ve been working with a solution hypnotherapist Chris O’Connor. It’s something we started just before the world Championship. We’ve been speaking pretty much every single day. It’s just about emptying your stress bucket.
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(Image: PA)
“We all have things going on that can affect our day-to-day working lives. It’s allowed me to go out there and be freer.
“Our minds are so clogged up with so many different things that don’t need to be there. If you can eliminate them and focus only on your snooker it makes the game a hell of a lot easier. I’ve had some great sleep this tournament, he’s been knocking me right out.”
Wilson was the only seed left in the event come the semi-finals – something that has not happened since way back in 1977. The five-time ranking-event winner had reached just one semi-final all season and is now the favourite to scoop the £500,000 top prize.
(Image: PA)
“The Crucible is a different animal,” added Wilson. “I haven’t had the best of seasons coming here and suddenly you get to the semi-finals and everyone’s saying you’re the favourite. I’ve got to handle that. I’m aware of it.”
Having resumed 14-10 up, Wilson won three of the four frames to move a step closer to becoming world champion. Gilbert, a semi-finalist in 2019, came through two rounds of qualifying to reach the Crucible.
But he eventually ran out of steam as his dreams of becoming the first qualifier to lift the treasured trophy since Shaun Murphy 19 years ago went up in smoke.
The Angry Farmer, who punched himself during the 27th frame, reflected: “It’s a really disappointing way to go out because I thought I could win that game. There’s nothing to feel too bad about. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved the past couple of weeks.”