I'M ROCKY BALL-BOA

New world champ Kyren admits his family's huge sacrifices and struggles would make a film script and says: I had to go back to the grotty gym to find myself again

- SHANE MacDERMOTT

WORLD champion Kyren Wilson believes his journey to the top has been like a Rocky Balboa 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 (right) with tears in his eyes.

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

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

Now the sky is the limit for the world No.3 who is eying up multiple world titles and reaching the rankings summit.

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

"I've had to dig in and go back to the grotty gym and find myself again.