Cake-making snooker referee who had run-in with Ronnie O’Sullivan set to make history at World Championship final
SNOOKER referee Desislava Bozhilova is set to make history at the World Championships.
The cake-baking ref, 32, will take charge of next month’s final at the Crucible for the first time.
Bozhilova will become the first woman to have taken charge of the final of all three Triple Crown events.
She previously officiated the final of The Masters and the UK Championship in 2022.
Bozhilova said: “I am really excited; it was an amazing feeling when I was given the news.
“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.
Bozhilova is the second woman to take charge of the world final.
Michaela Tabb donned the white gloves in 2009 and 2012.
Bozhilova infamously clashed with Ronnie O’Sullivan at last year’s World Championship.
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O’Sullivan insisted the black had not been spotted in the correct position, leading to an exchange BBC commentator John Parrot described as a “horrible situation”.
The Rocket later told the referee to “chill” during the same match as he battled Stuart Bingham.
“I’m chilled,” came the frosty reply from the ice-cold Bozhilova.
Away from the baize, the Bulgarian is a master cake crafter.
Bozhilova boasts 36,000 Instagram followers and often treats her fans to her creations.
She has recently crafted desserts in the shape of guitars, pirate ships, unicorns, hearts and even snooker balls.
The Bulgarian is also a Landscape Architect as well as a trailblazer in the snooker hall.
She added: “I don’t know about other sports, but in snooker we are equal.
“It does not matter if you are a female or male ref, if you are good enough and you do your job properly, you get your opportunities.”