Crucible Curse Strikes Again: Lei Peifan Stuns Kyren Wilson in Epic Upset as China Eyes Snooker History

Kyren Wilson has become the latest to fall victim to snooker’s notorious “Crucible curse,” as his title defense at the World Snooker Championship came to a stunning halt on the tournament’s opening day. Wilson, last year’s champion, suffered a dramatic 10-9 defeat at the hands of 21-year-old Chinese rising star Lei Peifan, underlining the belief that China may finally be on the brink of producing its first world champion in the sport.

The “Crucible curse” refers to the long-standing trend that no first-time winner of the World Championship has ever successfully defended their title since the event moved to Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in 1977. Wilson is now the 20th consecutive player to succumb to this superstition.

Despite leading Lei 6-3 after the first session, Wilson missed the chance to press home his advantage. Lei claimed the final frame of the morning to narrow the deficit to three frames, setting the stage for a stunning evening comeback. The Chinese player came out firing, winning six consecutive frames — all with breaks of 50 or more — to surge into a 9-6 lead.

Wilson rallied with a sublime 106 break and clawed back two more frames to force a final-frame decider, but the momentum wasn’t enough. Lei, composed beyond his years, delivered a brilliant break of 66 to seal the win and produce one of the biggest shocks in recent Crucible history.

Lei’s victory not only ensures the continuation of the Crucible curse but also heightens excitement around Chinese snooker. With 10 Chinese players — nearly a third of the draw — having qualified for this year’s championship, optimism is rising. This resurgence follows a tumultuous period after a 2023 match-fixing scandal that saw several Chinese players suspended.

The torch once solely held by Ding Junhui may now be shared, or even passed on, with talents like Lei Peifan and Xiao Guodong making deep runs. Xiao, leading Matthew Selt 7-2 after their first session, looks set to join Lei in the later rounds. The chances of two Chinese players meeting in the quarter-finals are high, hinting at a possible historic breakthrough for the nation.

The Crucible Theatre was alive with energy on Saturday, a symbol of the sport’s deep roots in Sheffield. As Chinese snooker continues to surge, the idea of a Chinese world champion no longer feels like a dream — it feels inevitable.