Ex-snooker world champ Luca Brecel's dramatic weight loss from new fitness regime - The Mirror

Former world champion Luca Brecel has lost a stone-and-a-half after a difficult 2023/24 season, with the Belgian at risk of losing his spot on the World Snooker Tour

Luca Brecel has dropped an impressive amount of weight as he bids to regain the form which made him a world snooker champion.

The 2023 Crucible king, a renowned party-lover, has endured a torrid 18 months on the table and even faces the unthinkable prospect of losing his spot on the World Snooker Tour. Brecel, 29, is currently 56th in the provisional end of the season rankings, with only the top 64 assured of hanging on to their tour cards.

A good season is a must essential for the Belgian Bullet if he is to retain his place among snooker’s elite. Following his first round defeat to David Gilbert at the Crucible in April, Brecel said he was relieved, admitting he didn't like the expectation that came with being a world champion.

He also acknowledged he needed to live a healthier lifestyle, and he has done just that by becoming a keen cyclist. During his run to the fourth round at this week’s British Open in Cheltenham, he said: “I have lost around ten kilos [a stone-and-a-half] so I am feeling fit off the table. Cycling is great because I love being outdoors, it's good for my body and mind.”

Brecel isn’t worried about his lowly position on the provisional ranking list and doesn’t even know where he sits. Drawing inspiration was recently-crowned English Open winner Neil Robertson, who has endured a barren couple of years, Brecel said: “I used to look at rankings but not anymore, I don't even know where I am.

“It doesn't matter because the way I am playing, I am never going to be really low. People keep busy with rankings. Did they really believe that Neil Robertson was never going to come back? If you are good, then you will always be good.”

HAVE YOUR SAY! Do you think Luca Brecel will get back to his best? Tell us in the comments section.

On his current form, Brecel said: “I'm playing the best I have ever played in practice, and in matches I am making progress. Everything is sharp and I am in a good space. I am looking forward to this season more than ever.

“There are a couple of things to improve and I have not been used to winning a lot of games in a row, but I feel I am playing well enough to win the tournament.”

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