### Desislava Bozhilova Returns to Social Media Following Historic Snooker Final
Snooker referee Desislava Bozhilova has ended her prolonged absence from social media by sharing her thoughts on officiating the landmark World Snooker Championship final, where Zhao Xintong emerged victorious over Mark Williams. The event, held at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre, saw Zhao accomplish what few could have anticipated – defeating the seasoned Welshman 18-12 and becoming the first amateur and Asian player ever to claim the world title. Bozhilova’s role in overseeing such a historic contest has not gone unnoticed, with particular praise directed her way from both the snooker and wider sporting communities.
Bozhilova, originally from Silven in Bulgaria, has steadily carved out a significant profile since first stepping onto the professional scene at the 2012 Bulgarian Open. Since then, her career has been punctuated by a string of milestones, including being only the second woman in history to referee a World Snooker Championship final, following in the footsteps of Michaela Tabb. Her latest assignment has yet again underlined her reputation as one of the game’s most respected officials.
In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Bozhilova shared an image of a trophy presented to her by the Bulgarian Snooker Federation in recognition of her officiating during what many consider to be one of the sport’s most memorable finals. Accompanying the photo, she expressed gratitude to the snooker community, writing, “Thank you so much for the kind words regarding refereeing the World Final. I loved every second of it. It was a pleasure to be involved in a game like that. Congratulations to Zhao Xintong on an amazing win, and also to Mark Williams for making it to his fifth World Final.”
This marks Bozhilova’s first social media activity since celebrating her birthday in Vietnam back in October 2023, highlighting just how sparing she is with public commentary online. Her low profile, however, is in marked contrast to her high visibility on the snooker circuit, where she has become a familiar and authoritative presence at the sport’s most significant events.
Having taken charge of her first Triple Crown final at the 2022 Masters – followed in short order by the UK Championship later that year – Bozhilova is now the only woman to have officiated the finals of all three of snooker’s most prestigious tournaments. For many advocates of greater gender equality in sport, her achievements have become a cause for celebration, as well as an indication of the slow but steady progress being made in traditionally male-dominated arenas.
For Zhao Xintong, the final itself was the culmination of an extraordinary run. The Chinese star’s journey to the title was not straightforward, involving 29 days at the Crucible and a gruelling nine matches, including qualifiers. Zhao’s path saw him dispatch notable opponents such as Cheung Ka Wai, Long Zehuang, and Lyu Haotian before entering the main draw, where he overcame Jak Jones, Lei Peifan, and Chris Wakelin. His emphatic 17-7 defeat of Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals marked him out as the player to watch and set up the anticipated clash with Williams.
The final saw Zhao retain his composure against the vastly experienced Williams, sealing an 18-12 victory to claim the first world title of his career. At just 28 years old, the win marked not only a personal triumph but also a significant moment for amateur and Asian players in professional snooker. Alongside the prestige of the title, Zhao also took home the tournament’s top prize of £500,000, a reward that propelled him to 11th in the global rankings and cemented his return to the professional tour for the following season.
Bozhilova’s return to social media has reignited discussions about the role of referees in the spectacle of professional sports. Her dignified and expert handling of high-pressure moments has prompted tributes from fellow officials and players alike, reflecting her growing stature within the game.
Both Bozhilova and Zhao leave this year’s World Snooker Championship with their profiles significantly enhanced. While Zhao’s victory will be remembered for its trailblazing significance, Bozhilova’s contribution as referee has further established her as a leading figure in world snooker officiating, inspiring many who aspire to follow her path.
These latest developments underscore how the World Snooker Championship continues not just to produce drama on the table, but to highlight evolving narratives for those both playing and officiating at the very highest levels. The 2025 final will be remembered as much for these personal triumphs as for the quality of snooker on display.