Judd Trump vs Kyren Wilson: As Class of ’92 approach the end, this could become snooker’s biggest rivalry in next decade
SNOOKER’S Class of ’92 are fading away and two English superstars are ready to forge a new era in the sport.
Judd Trump has declared he’s ready to battle reigning world champion Kyren Wilson for “the next 10 years” or more – with the pair meeting in a titanic battle in the semi-final of the UK Championship.
Wilson got the better of World No 1 Trump in a one-sided final at the Northern Ireland Open in October.
The 32-year-old pocketed a cool £100,000 after taking Trump’s crown in Belfast, blitzing him 9-3.
Despite the loss, Trump admitted Wilson’s meteoric rise over the last twelve months has “pushed him forward” as a player.
He said: “It’s nice to have someone pushing me and going away to give their all every single time.
“It is good to have that kind of rivalry when you reach the top and we are both really enjoying it.”
Wilson won his maiden World Championship in May at the Crucible, beating Jak Jones 18-14.
And Trump – who admitted six years ago the pair were “complete opposites” away from the table – is impressed by his rival’s transformation.
Trump continued: “From where he was a couple of years ago, he has gone to another level.
“You can see a difference in him. The way he walks around the table is different.”
The pair were equally flattering of each other after setting up the semi in York.
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Trump said: “I think it is great for everyone that there is kind of two players that are achieving some great stuff this season.
“If Kyren wasn’t there, then [my] lead at the top of the rankings would be astronomical.
“You need someone on your heels to keep pushing you and make you keep going back to practise.
“We’re both trying to push each other on at the moment.”
Wilson said: “I think everyone involved is going to enjoy the semi-final with Judd tomorrow, even my kids can’t pick who they want to win! It should be good fun.
“I think it is a great advertisement for the game, TV and fans who will turn up in their numbers.
“This venue comes into its own when it goes into the one table setup. I’ll really enjoy [Saturday].”
He added: “I think Judd is one of those players that wants to prove he is the best in the world.
“I’ve got the better of him recently but that will just make him even more hungry to prove a point.
“He isn’t world No 1 by fluke. He’s been by far the most consistent player of the last few years, but I’m trying to hang onto his coattails.”
Despite Wilson’s incredible 2024, he’s had to work in Trump’s shadow for much of the past few years.
And Judd’s impressive numbers for the current 2024-25 season show he remains the man to beat in world snooker.
So far this campaign, The Ace in the Pack has won 39 out of his ranking 46 matches.
He’s lifted trophies at both the Shanghai Masters and Saudi Arabia Masters, racking up prize money in excess of £920,000.
World No 2 Wilson has picked up cheques of his own totalling £392,000, hardly a meagre return.
But his 29 wins from 38 matches this season can’t match Trump’s relentless pace, which has left the Kettering native in awe.
Wilson said after his win in Belfast: “I don’t know where he gets the stamina from.
“It’s got to be applauded, he makes me raise my game and we can’t keep relying on the Class of 92 all the time.”
The Class of ’92 refers to the legendary trio of Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams.
With 14 world titles among them, the three players have dominated UK snooker over the past three decades.
But as their powers begin to fade, Wilson and Trump appear ready to fill the rivalry vacuum.
List of all-time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.
The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 – with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each.
- 1969 – John Spencer
- 1970 – Ray Reardon
- 1971 – John Spencer
- 1972 – Alex Higgins
- 1973 – Ray Reardon (2)
- 1974 – Ray Reardon (3)
- 1975 – Ray Reardon (4)
- 1976 – Ray Reardon (5)
- 1977 – John Spencer (2)
- 1978 – Ray Reardon (6)
- 1979 – Terry Griffiths
- 1980 – Cliff Thorburn
- 1981 – Steve Davis
- 1982 – Alex Higgins (2)
- 1983 – Steve Davis (2)
- 1984 – Steve Davis (3)
- 1985 – Dennis Taylor
- 1986 – Joe Johnson
- 1987 – Steve Davis (4)
- 1988 – Steve Davis (5)
- 1989 – Steve Davis (6)
- 1990 – Stephen Hendry
- 1991 – John Parrott
- 1992 – Stephen Hendry (2)
- 1993 – Stephen Hendry (3)
- 1994 – Stephen Hendry (4)
- 1995 – Stephen Hendry (5)
- 1996 – Stephen Hendry (6)
- 1997 – Ken Doherty
- 1998 – John Higgins
- 1999 – Stephen Hendry (7)
- 2000 – Mark Williams
- 2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 2002 – Peter Ebdon
- 2003 – Mark Williams (2)
- 2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2)
- 2005 – Shaun Murphy
- 2006 – Graeme Dott
- 2007 – John Higgins (2)
- 2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (3)
- 2009 – John Higgins (3)
- 2010 – Neil Robertson
- 2011 – John Higgins (4)
- 2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (4)
- 2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (5)
- 2014 – Mark Selby
- 2015 – Stuart Bingham
- 2016 – Mark Selby (2)
- 2017 – Mark Selby (3)
- 2018 – Mark Williams (3)
- 2019 – Judd Trump
- 2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (6)
- 2021 – Mark Selby (4)
- 2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (7)
- 2023 – Luca Brecel
- 2024 – Kyren Wilson
Most World Titles (modern era)
- 7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
- 4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby
- 3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams
- 2 – Alex Higgins
Trump has been around slightly longer than Wilson after breaking onto the scene as a teenager back in 2005.
The Bristol native is currently fourth on the all-time list of ranking event winners, with an outrageous 29 titles.
He won his own World Championship back in 2019 and currently edges Wilson on head-to-head records.
Since their first meeting way back in 2013, Trump has won 18 of 32 matches against The Warrior.
He also has the edge in frames, taking 127 to Kyren’s 114.
But one stat that jumps out in Wilson’s favour is his strong record against Trump in tournament finals.
The pair have gone head-to-head for titles on five occasions.
Of those matches, Wilson has emerged victorious four times to Trump’s solitary one.
With both players in their mid-30s, there’s plenty of scope for their budding rivalry to continue well into the next decade.
And The Warrior has shown on multiple occasions he can raise his game when it matters most.
Clutching his recent £100,000 prize in Belfast, Wilson said: “I’m glad I’m up there with [Judd] and competing.
“It’s good for the future of snooker.”