Mark Williams' 19-year-old son Kian was taken to hospital after suffering a suspected broken foot in a Muay Thai fight, leaving him unable to walk. The snooker legend admits he finds watching his son compete 'horrible'.
Silver medal but injury concern
Kian, who trains at Celtic Pride Martial Arts in Abertillery, recently claimed a silver medal at the WBC European amateur championships in Sardinia. He reached the final before suffering a narrow points defeat, but also sustained a painful foot injury that has left him struggling to walk, with fears he may have suffered a fracture.
Speaking at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast, Williams revealed his son had been to hospital, but swelling meant doctors were unable to establish whether he had broken his foot.
Williams on watching his son fight
Williams, a three-time world snooker champion, confessed that watching his son take punishment in the ring is an ordeal he struggles to endure. "I was in Thailand with him for the WBC Amateurs in July and he has just been at the European event in Sardinia," Williams explained.
"I would have been there if I hadn't had a tournament this week. He lost in the final on points. I haven't seen the fight yet - he said it could have gone either way but he got the silver medal. He thinks he has broken one of his feet, he went to hospital but it was too swollen to tell."
The 51-year-old, who boxed as a youngster before pursuing a career in snooker, admitted he cannot understand how his son willingly puts himself through such punishment. "They have got some guts, to get into that ring," he said. "They love it, they train twice a day leading up to a tournament. I hate watching it. They are getting elbowed in the face, kicked in the face, elbowed in the top of the head… it's horrible."
Kian's progress and future goals
Kian has been making impressive progress in the amateur Muay Thai ranks, having previously secured bronze at the WBC World Championships in Thailand before adding European silver to his collection. Following the final, he wrote on Instagram: "Came up short in the final, was a very close fight but decision didn't go my way. Bronze in WBC worlds. And now silver in WBC European. No matter the outcome learned loads from this one and gold will be next time."
He also thanked his coaches and supporters, including Celtic Pride Martial Arts and boxing great Joe Calzaghe, for helping him on his journey.
