Crucible Curse Strikes Again! Kyren Wilson Out

Kyren Wilson has become the latest victim of the infamous Crucible Curse, crashing out of the World Snooker Championship in a shocking 10-9 first-round defeat to debutant Lei Peifan. Despite leading 6-3 at one point, the reigning champion faltered under the bright lights of Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. Six consecutive frames from Lei in the evening session flipped the match on its head, with a final-frame break of 66 sealing Wilson’s fate — and continuing snooker’s most famous hoodoo.

20th Crucible Curse Victim

The Crucible Curse strikes again — and Wilson now becomes the 20th first-time world champion to fail in defending their title the following year. No player has ever successfully returned to lift the trophy back-to-back after winning their maiden title since the event moved to its iconic Sheffield venue in 1977.

What is The Crucible Curse?

We hear of “bogey teams” and “curses” a lot in sports, but the Crucible Curse is a long-standing superstition in the snooker world that affects first-time winners of the World Championship. Since the tournament was moved to the Crucible Theatre in 1977, no player has managed to win the title in consecutive years after their maiden triumph. It’s an odd pattern that has stood the test of time, defeating legends such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, and John Higgins — all of whom failed to retain their crown immediately after their first victory.

While some see it as nothing more than coincidence, others believe there’s a psychological and emotional toll in being the defending champion — especially for the first time. With the spotlight brighter and expectations higher, many players have found the pressure simply too much to handle. The Crucible Curse has become part of the tournament’s mythology, and every new champion arrives the following year with a heavy weight on their shoulders.

Tired and Nervous – Wilson Speaks Out

Wilson had spoken openly about his struggles in preparation, citing fatigue and nerves. “I was so nervous this morning,” he admitted. “I just wanted to get round one out of the way.” But despite his best efforts and rallying back to 9-9, it wasn’t enough. In a gut-wrenching decider, Lei held his nerve like a seasoned pro, showing no signs that this was his Crucible debut.

“It’s been very challenging to prepare this year,” Wilson added. “I sympathise with previous world champions because you take a hit on your preparation. I’m gutted… but we go on and look towards bigger and better things.”

The Crucible Curse shows no mercy. And it doesn’t discriminate. The list of snooker royalty who have fallen victim to it grows — and Kyren Wilson is the latest name etched into that unwanted chapter of history.