Bozhilova To Referee Crucible Final For First Time

Desislava Bozhilova will referee the final of the Halo World Championship for the first time at the Crucible next month.

Bulgaria's 32-year-old Bozhilova will become the first woman to have taken charge of the final of all three Triple Crown events, having previously officiated the final of the Masters and the UK Championship in 2022. 

Bozhilova first worked on the World Snooker Tour at a PTC event in Sofia in 2012, and climbed quickly through the ranks to become one of the sport's best respected referees. She took charge of a Crucible semi-final for the first time in 2022 when Judd Trump edged out Mark Williams 17-16, and will now make the step up to snooker's biggest match. 

The Halo World Championship starts on April 19th and the final will be on May 4th and 5th at the iconic Crucible in Sheffield. 

"I am really excited, it was an amazing feeling when I was given the news," said Bozhilova, who will become the second woman to take charge of the world final, after Michaela Tabb who donned the white gloves in 2009 and 2012. "It is what I have worked towards for many years, it has been my dream. It will be different to any other final because of the atmosphere at the Crucible.

"Since I started working in snooker I have learned everything from the more experienced referees. They give advice and tell us how to improve. There is a lot of team work and we support each other."