Jones beats Gilbert to win first professional title

Jones beats Gilbert to win first professional titleImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jak Jones is ranked 29 in the world, with a career high ranking of 14ByGareth BaileyBBC Sport WalesPublished42 minutes agoJak Jones has won his first career title with a 3-2 victory over David Gilbert in the final of the 2026 Championship League.The 32-year-old from Cwmbran in south Wales turned professional in 2010, briefly dropping off the World Snooker Tour twice before becoming a mainstay since 2016.A runner-up in the 2024 World Snooker Championship, his win over England's Gilbert ends a 16-year wait for a ranking title."It feels unreal, I was more nervous tonight than I was in the world final," Jones told World Snooker."It's a monkey off my back and good to get that out of the way."Jones grabbed headlines two years ago as a qualifier, beating former champions Stuart Bingham and Judd Trump on his way to a Crucible-final defeat against Kyren WIlson.In Leicester he defeated Hossein Vafaei and fellow Welshman Dylan Emery, as well as drawing against China's Zhang Anda, before beating Gilbert to collect the £33,000 top prize. "It's great for my wife and son who support me," he added. "And my parents have spent 15 years watching me lose, so it's nice to win one for them."Jones victory also earns him a place in the Champion of Champions in November.Related topicsSnookerWales SportMore on this storyBuilding breaks and form - Jones plots more snooker success Published9 February 2025Jones 'struggled to breathe' during Selby defeatPublished22 AprilHow snooker star Morgan discovered JonesPublished2 May 2024