Snooker world champion Kyren Wilson hits back at SPOTY snub - 'Face doesn't fit'
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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.
