Desislava Bozhilova has emerged as one of the most respected and accomplished referees in modern snooker. Known for her calm authority, attention to detail, and professionalism, she has steadily built a reputation as one of the leading officials on the World Snooker Tour.
In 2025, she achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman to referee the finals of all three Triple Crown events—the UK Championship, the Masters, and the World Snooker Championship. This achievement placed her among the most influential figures in contemporary snooker officiating.
From her early days playing American pool in Bulgaria to officiating the sport’s biggest matches, Bozhilova’s journey reflects dedication, skill, and a commitment to excellence that continues to inspire referees around the world.
Who Is Desislava Bozhilova?
Desislava Bozhilova is a Bulgarian international snooker referee who has gained worldwide recognition through her work on the World Snooker Tour. Born on 16 October 1992, she grew up in Bulgaria and later established herself as one of the sport’s most respected officials.
Based in Sofia, she represents a new generation of referees who have combined technical expertise with professionalism to reach the highest levels of the game. Over the years, Bozhilova has officiated numerous high-profile tournaments and earned praise for her ability to manage pressure-filled matches.
Her success has made her an important figure in professional snooker and a role model for aspiring officials seeking to build careers in international sports officiating.
From American Pool Player to International Referee
Before becoming a familiar face on the professional snooker circuit, Desislava Bozhilova developed her cue sports knowledge through American pool. Playing the game at a young age helped her understand the technical and strategic aspects of cue sports, creating a strong foundation for her future career.
Her interest in officiating led her to join the Bulgarian Snooker Referees Association in 2011. Determined to advance within the profession, she completed the necessary training and became an international referee in 2012. This achievement marked the beginning of an impressive officiating journey.
By combining practical playing experience with a deep understanding of the rules, Bozhilova quickly established herself as a capable and promising official on the international stage.
How Desislava Bozhilova Built Her Career on the World Snooker Tour
Desislava Bozhilova’s professional journey on the World Snooker Tour began in 2012 when she officiated her first WST match at the Bulgarian Open. This opportunity allowed her to gain valuable experience while working alongside some of the sport’s most respected officials.
Over the following years, she steadily progressed through ranking events and demonstrated the consistency required to handle high-pressure matches. A major milestone arrived in 2016 when she refereed her first ranking-event final at the Riga Masters.
The appointment reflected the growing confidence that tournament organizers placed in her abilities. Through discipline, concentration, and strong decision-making skills, Bozhilova established herself as one of the most reliable referees on the professional circuit.
Making History with the Triple Crown Achievement
The defining achievement of Desislava Bozhilova’s career came in 2025 when she became the first woman to referee the finals of all three Triple Crown tournaments in snooker. Her journey toward this historic milestone included officiating the UK Championship Final in 2022 and The Masters Final later that same year.
In May 2025, she completed the Triple Crown by refereeing the World Snooker Championship Final at the Crucible Theatre, where Zhao Xintong defeated Mark Williams. The accomplishment elevated her status within the sport and highlighted the growing role of women in elite officiating.
As global interest in her achievements continues to increase, news publications and industry platforms such as Biz Tech Magazine have highlighted the significance of her contribution to modern snooker history.
Desislava Bozhilova’s Most Memorable Moments as a Referee
Throughout her career, Bozhilova has been trusted with some of the sport’s most demanding assignments. In 2019, she made her Crucible Theatre debut by officiating matches during the main stages of the World Snooker Championship, a significant milestone for any referee.
Since then, she has consistently demonstrated the composure required to manage pressure-filled environments and globally televised events. One of the most talked-about moments of her career occurred during the 2024 World Championship quarterfinals, when she maintained control and authority during a tense exchange involving Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Her calm handling of challenging situations has strengthened her reputation as a referee capable of managing even the most intense moments in professional snooker.
Beyond Snooker: Architecture, Design, and Creativity
Away from tournament venues, Desislava Bozhilova has built an impressive professional career in landscape architecture. She earned a Master’s degree from the University of Forestry in Sofia in 2016, demonstrating her commitment to academic and professional development alongside snooker.
Her expertise extends to designing outdoor spaces and creating detailed 3D visualizations of residential projects. This creative background has helped develop many of the qualities that make her an effective referee, including precision, patience, and attention to detail.
Balancing two demanding careers is not easy, but Bozhilova has successfully managed both worlds, proving that excellence in sports officiating can coexist with achievements in entirely different professional fields.
The Story Behind DB Triangles
Desislava Bozhilova’s creativity extends beyond refereeing and architecture through her innovative project known as DB Triangles. Drawing on her experience in design, 3D modeling, and cue sports, she developed her own line of custom professional snooker triangles.
The project reflects her desire to contribute to the sport in new ways while utilizing the technical skills she developed through her architectural background. Designing and testing equipment requires precision, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of player needs, qualities Bozhilova has developed throughout her career.
The success of DB Triangles highlights her entrepreneurial mindset and demonstrates how her passion for snooker continues to inspire projects that benefit players and enthusiasts beyond tournament officiating.
Personal Life and Relationship
While Desislava Bozhilova is widely recognized for her achievements on the World Snooker Tour, she also enjoys a fulfilling personal life away from the spotlight. She is in a long-term relationship with fellow Bulgarian professional snooker referee Proletina Velichkova.
Both women share a passion for cue sports and have spent years contributing to the development of snooker officiating. Their relationship has attracted positive attention from fans who appreciate seeing two respected officials supporting each other’s careers.
Despite maintaining an active presence within the snooker community, Bozhilova generally keeps her personal life private and prefers to let her professional achievements speak for themselves. This balance has helped her maintain focus while continuing to excel in her career.
Hobbies Outside the Arena
Away from competitive snooker, Bozhilova enjoys several creative hobbies that showcase a different side of her personality. One of her greatest passions is baking, particularly creating decorative and artistic cakes that require patience and attention to detail.
She also enjoys working on 3D printing projects, combining creativity with technology to produce unique designs and models. These hobbies provide a welcome break from the demands of international travel and tournament schedules while allowing her to explore new skills and ideas.
Many of the qualities required for these activities precision, focus, and creativity—mirror the characteristics that have contributed to her success as a professional referee. Her interests outside snooker demonstrate her versatility and dedication to continuous learning.
What Makes Desislava Bozhilova a Role Model in Modern Snooker?
Desislava Bozhilova’s career serves as an example of what can be achieved through dedication, professionalism, and perseverance. By reaching the highest levels of snooker officiating, she has helped inspire a new generation of referees, particularly women seeking opportunities in sports administration and officiating.
Her success also reflects the progress women have made in professional snooker officiating. Trailblazing referees such as Michaela Tabb helped break barriers by officiating major ranking finals and World Championship matches.
Meanwhile, Tatiana Woollaston has become another respected figure on the World Snooker Tour. Alongside these accomplished officials, Bozhilova represents a new generation of referees helping shape the future of professional snooker.
As her career continues to evolve, Bozhilova remains a powerful role model whose influence extends far beyond the boundaries of professional snooker.
Conclusion
Desislava Bozhilova’s journey from a young American pool player in Bulgaria to one of the world’s most respected snooker referees is a remarkable story of determination and achievement.
Since becoming an international referee in 2012, she has steadily progressed through the ranks of professional officiating, earning the trust of players, fans, and tournament organizers alike. Her historic accomplishment of becoming the first woman to referee all three Triple Crown finals secured her place in snooker history and highlighted her exceptional abilities.
Combined with her achievements in landscape architecture, entrepreneurship, and creative pursuits, Bozhilova represents a modern professional who excels across multiple fields. Her legacy continues to grow as she inspires future generations of referees and cue sports enthusiasts around the world.
