Kyren Wilson embraces Buddhist philosophy after burglary ordeal as he prepares for Shanghai Masters defence - and responds to Stan Moody criticism
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Updated 24/07/2026 at 12:12 GMT+1
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Kyren Wilson says he has gained a new perspective after turning to Buddhist culture following a difficult summer, with the world champion now focused on defending his Shanghai Masters title. The Englishman is bidding to retain the title he won 12 months ago with a dramatic 11-9 victory over Ali Carter.
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Wilson returns to China for the first major event of the new snooker season, with the 2026 Shanghai Masters getting underway on Monday and the whole tournament shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Shanghai holds a special place in Wilson’s career, as it was the venue where he claimed his first professional title in 2015, defeating Judd Trump 10-9 in the final, before completing a second triumph a decade later.
But his preparations for this year’s event have taken place against the backdrop of a challenging period away from the table, with Wilson revealing that visits to Buddhist temples helped him process the impact of a burglary at his home.
”I’ve enjoyed going to a few different Buddhist temples recently," Wilson told World Snooker Tour.
"I've tried to go a bit deeper into that side of the culture. I’ve been curious to speak to some of the monks and find out their outlook on life.
"I’ve had a tough time recently with a burglary in my house. I had a really good chat with a monk at the Wannian Temple in Sichuan Province, and he said he really liked my outlook on life.
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Wilson has turned to within following a burglary ordeal
Image credit: Getty Images
”It was mainly through translation. He could speak a little bit of English. I wanted his opinion on it. I feel like moments in life like that are such a big deal, it is about how you come back from them.
"I’ve always had the outlook that everything happens for a reason. Was it to give me a kick up the backside or appreciate my family?
"He said that outlook mirrored Buddhist way of thinking. He shook my hand and said to keep going and that I was thinking along the right lines.”
Wilson’s connection with China stretches back more than a decade, with the country playing a major role in his rise from promising professional to one of snooker’s leading names.
"It is a very special place to me. Shanghai is one of my favourite places in China. We are in China so much now and I try to spend as much time in places like Shanghai as possible. I love going to the Bund, the spectacular scenery that we have there at night is incredible.
"Shanghai is where I feel my career really started, when I won there in 2015. It was also one of the first major venues I qualified for. I went out there in 2013 and lost in the quarters to Michael Holt.
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Wilson celebrates his Shanghai Masters title victory
Image credit: Getty Images
”I’m taking my family along this time. It is one of my wife’s favourite places to visit so we have decided to take my children along as well.
"This will be Finley and Bailey’s first time in Shanghai. I want to show them how amazing the city is and how good this tournament is. I hope they see how wonderful the place is. Just like I do.
”China has had a huge impact on my career. It was the scene of my first win. I was low down in the rankings and I’d just had my first son. Finley was only around six months old.
"I didn’t have much money or optimism. I didn’t know where I was going. Ever since then, my career has taken an upward trajectory. It was very special to go and win the 2025 Shanghai Masters, ten years on from that."
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Wilson’s Shanghai success last year came after a dramatic final against Carter, who was a late call-up following Mark Allen’s withdrawal from the tournament.
Carter pushed Wilson all the way, producing breaks of 140 and 90 to level the match at 9-9, but Wilson held his nerve to complete victory. After moving 10-9 ahead with a 126 break, he sealed the title with a 57 clearance.
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Wilson lets out huge roar after stealing frame to wrap up thrilling Shanghai Masters victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
”It was a really tough game. Ali played really well. He came in at the last minute and got a late call. It was a free hit for him and that made him very dangerous.
”I remember going 10-9 up and thinking that I’d won. Playing first to 11 is quite a strange number. It looked as if it was going to go 10-10, but Ali left me a tricky shot at a long red. I pulled off a high pressure clearance out from nowhere to win 11-9 on the black. There were big celebrations.
”I was still quite wounded from losing in the opening round of the World Championship, so it was nice to bounce back in the first event.”
Moody 'irrelevant' following Crucible meeting
Wilson was also asked about Stan Moody’s criticism of his celebrations after their World Championship first-round match earlier this year.
Wilson recovered from 7-3 down to defeat Moody 10-7, but the teenager later said he felt the reaction was excessive. Wilson disagreed, insisting the pressure of elite snooker applies regardless of the opponent.
”Somebody sent me it. Stan is entitled to his opinion," Wilson said.
"I hate to burst the bubble a little bit, but whether it is him, or any player, is really irrelevant. I don’t care who I am playing, it was just about winning the first round of the World Championship.
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Wilson has brushed off the criticism from Stan Moody
Image credit: Getty Images
”Stan, in terms of my career, is quite irrelevant. The way I saw it was if Ronnie, John or Mark Williams, who are almost 20 years my superior, beat me in a tense match when they were 7-3 behind would it be wrong if they fist pumped? Just because I’m against a young lad, it shouldn’t have any relevance.
”At the end of the day, it is an adult sport and you are stepping into the lion’s den, or the bear pit as Brandon Parker used to describe it. You are playing for the biggest prize in the sport, and it is gladiatorial.”
Wilson believes another strong run in Shanghai could provide the ideal launchpad for the season ahead.
"It kick-started a really strong beginning to last season. Any trophy on the World Snooker Tour nowadays is absolutely massive. Everyone is so competitive, from the Class of 92 to the Chinese talent coming through and winning left, right and centre.
"I have to up my game and Shanghai is a good place to try and make that start."
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