Desislava Bozhilova is a pioneering Bulgarian snooker referee who has built an impressive career on the World Snooker Tour. Known for her calm presence, professionalism, and deep understanding of the game, she has become one of the most recognizable female officials in modern professional snooker. Her journey is particularly inspiring because she entered the world of cue sports at a young age and eventually reached some of the biggest stages in the sport.
In May 2025, Desislava Bozhilova made snooker history by refereeing the final of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre. This achievement completed her appearances as a referee in the finals of all three Triple Crown tournaments: the Masters, the UK Championship, and the World Snooker Championship.
Who Is Desislava Bozhilova?
Desislava Bozhilova was born on October 16, 1992, in Sliven, Bulgaria. Her interest in cue sports began when she was just 13 years old. At the time, opportunities to play snooker in her hometown were limited because there were not many snooker tables available. Instead, she initially became involved with pool.
Her early interest eventually developed into a serious passion for cue sports. After moving to Sofia for university, she had greater access to snooker facilities and opportunities to develop her knowledge of the sport.
In December 2012, Bozhilova successfully passed her international snooker refereeing examination. This was an important step that opened the door to a professional career in officiating.
Beginning Her Professional Refereeing Career
Desislava Bozhilova made her professional refereeing debut at the Bulgarian Open in 2012. Entering professional snooker as a referee required extensive knowledge of the rules, concentration, confidence, and the ability to make accurate decisions under pressure.
Her career progressed steadily over the following years. In 2016, she officiated her first ranking-event final at the Riga Masters. Reaching a ranking-event final represented a major milestone and demonstrated that she was becoming trusted at the highest levels of professional competition.
Another important moment came in 2019 when Bozhilova made her debut at the Crucible Theatre during the World Snooker Championship. The Crucible is one of the most famous venues in snooker and has hosted the World Championship for decades. Appearing there marked another significant stage in her development as an international referee.
Triple Crown Milestone
One of the defining achievements in Desislava Bozhilova’s career came through her involvement in the three prestigious Triple Crown tournaments.
The Triple Crown consists of the Masters, the UK Championship, and the World Snooker Championship. These tournaments are among the most important events on the professional snooker calendar.
Bozhilova refereed her first Triple Crown final at the Masters in January 2022. Later that year, in November, she officiated the final of the UK Championship. These appearances placed her among the small group of referees entrusted with the sport’s most prestigious matches.
Her historic journey reached its peak in 2025. She refereed the World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible Theatre, becoming only the second woman to officiate that final after Michaela Tabb.
More significantly, the achievement made Bozhilova the first woman to referee finals at all three Triple Crown tournaments. This accomplishment represents an important milestone for women in professional snooker officiating.
Desislava Bozhilova at the Crucible
The Crucible Theatre has a special place in snooker history. Every year, the world’s leading players compete there for the World Championship title, while referees are responsible for maintaining the rules and standards of the game.
For a referee, officiating a World Championship final requires exceptional concentration. A final can last for many hours and involve extremely close situations. Referees must remain focused throughout the match while making decisions impartially.
For Bozhilova, reaching the World Championship final was the culmination of years of experience. Her appearance also highlighted the growing role of women in professional cue sports.
Education and Creative Interests
Away from professional snooker, Desislava Bozhilova has a creative and academic background. She holds a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Forestry in Sofia.
Her interests extend beyond sports and architecture. She also works as a 3D digital and computer-generated imagery artist. This creative work provides an interesting contrast to the highly structured and rule-focused world of professional refereeing.
Bozhilova’s hobbies include baking, painting, and candle making. These activities demonstrate another side of her personality away from the pressures of international tournaments.
Experience Beyond Snooker
Although snooker remains a major part of her professional career, Bozhilova has also taken on other officiating responsibilities within cue sports.
She has worked as a head referee and tournament director on the World Nineball Tour. These roles require organizational skills in addition to knowledge of the rules. A tournament director may be involved in managing competitions, coordinating officials, and ensuring that events operate smoothly.
She has also been involved with events such as the US Snooker Masters, further expanding her experience across international cue-sport competitions.
Career Milestones at a Glance
Desislava Bozhilova’s career can be summarized through several important milestones:
- 2012: Made her professional refereeing debut at the Bulgarian Open.
- 2016: Officiated her first ranking-event final at the Riga Masters.
- 2019: Made her World Snooker Championship debut at the Crucible Theatre.
- 2022: Refereed her first Masters and UK Championship finals.
- 2025: Refereed the World Snooker Championship final and completed the Triple Crown finals milestone.
Together, these achievements illustrate the steady progression of her career from a young cue-sports enthusiast in Bulgaria to an internationally recognized professional referee.
Influence on Women in Cue Sports
Desislava Bozhilova’s achievements are significant beyond her individual career. Professional snooker has traditionally been associated with male players and officials, making the increasing visibility of female referees particularly noteworthy.
By officiating major ranking events and Triple Crown finals, Bozhilova has demonstrated that refereeing at the highest level depends on expertise, preparation, concentration, and professionalism.
Her career also follows the path established by earlier female officials such as Michaela Tabb, who became the first woman to referee a World Snooker Championship final. Bozhilova’s achievements have continued that progression and created another notable chapter in the history of women in professional snooker.
Conclusion
Desislava Bozhilova has developed an extraordinary career through dedication to cue sports and professional refereeing. From discovering pool at the age of 13 in Sliven to qualifying as an international snooker referee in 2012, her journey has taken her to some of the biggest stages in the sport.
Her appearances at the Masters, UK Championship, and World Snooker Championship finals represent the highest points of her refereeing career. The 2025 World Championship final was particularly historic, making her the second woman to referee that match and the first woman to complete finals at all three Triple Crown events.
Beyond the snooker table, her background in landscape architecture and digital art reveals a diverse range of interests and talents. Her career serves as an example of how passion, education, preparation, and perseverance can combine to create a lasting impact in professional sport.
FAQs
Who is Desislava Bozhilova?
Desislava Bozhilova is a Bulgarian professional snooker referee who officiates matches on the World Snooker Tour.
When was Desislava Bozhilova born?
Desislava Bozhilova was born on October 16, 1992, in Sliven, Bulgaria.
When did Desislava Bozhilova become a professional referee?
She made her professional refereeing debut at the Bulgarian Open in 2012 after passing her international snooker refereeing examination.
What major achievement did Desislava Bozhilova accomplish in 2025?
In 2025, she refereed the World Snooker Championship final, completing her appearances as a referee in finals of all three Triple Crown events.
What are the three Triple Crown events?
The three Triple Crown events are the Masters, the UK Championship, and the World Snooker Championship.
What did Desislava Bozhilova study?
She holds a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Forestry in Sofia.
What are Desislava Bozhilova’s interests outside snooker?
Her interests include 3D digital art, baking, painting, and candle making.
Has Desislava Bozhilova worked in other cue sports?
Yes. She has also worked as a head referee and tournament director in events connected with the World Nineball Tour and other cue-sports competitions.
