LUCA BRECEL is feeling “confident in my own skin” after shedding more than two stone as he tries to become snooker’s first Ironman triathlete.
The Belgian, 29, cut a portly figure when he claimed the world title in May 2023 in thrilling comeback fashion at the Crucible.
Luca Brecel is fighting fit as he hopes to shine in the triathlonGetty
WSTHe has lost over two stone[/caption]
PABrecel won the 2023 World Championship and is trying to bounce back[/caption]
Yet over the past 20 months, he has been strict with his diet and spent more time on a spinning bike in Majorca rather than with a cue in his hand.
The Bullet has slimmed down considerably and claims he feels much better within himself.
The target, likely to be in 2026, is to participate in an Ironman triathlon race, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and marathon.
Asked if he was ready for the pain – especially as those type of events take a minimum of eight hours – Brecel laughed: “I love it. The longer it goes on, the better.
“I like long distance. I like to do the same thing for a very long time. I like it.
“I have lost weight but that’s mostly down to my diet. And putting in the hours on the bike and running. It means you burn more calories.
“I’ve lost 14kg now. I’m planning on maybe losing 12kg more. Then I’ll be 75kg. I’m 87kg now.
“It has taken about 6-7 months. I have chosen to do it slowly. I could go faster but then you lose muscle. I want to do it in a healthy way.
GettyBrecel knows 2023 Ironman world champ Sam Laidlow[/caption]
“Being so overweight. I didn’t feel good at the table. I didn’t want to play in that way anymore.
“When I went to Majorca, some people thought I was just lying on the beach – but actually I was practising there. It was more like a training camp than anything else.
“I really needed to focus on my body first. I need to feel good when I’m playing.
“I need to feel confident in my own skin. Now I feel better. I started putting the work in also on the table and it feels good actually.”
Brecel – who takes on Chris Wakelin on Wednesday evening in the Masters first round – had been in danger of losing his Tour Card this season until a decent run at last month’s Scottish Open boosted his prize-money kitty.
Away from the table, he has been working with seriously-fit sportsmen, including two who have won world Ironman titles in Hawaii.
The world No.8 said: “I actually know (2023 world champion) Sam Laidlow quite a bit. Now I have started working with Frederik Van Lierde, who is a Belgian Ironman.
“He won it in 2013. He’s my coach now. Which is brilliant to be working with him.
“Every week he sets up a schedule. I just need to follow it. He tracks everything.
“It’s perfect for me actually. I need to do the work and the results will come. It’s a nice external thing to have in my life.
“I have done half-marathons a couple of times. Which were quite easy. But that was when I was running a lot.
“In a few years’ time I will be really, really sharp. I fully expect to complete the goal I have and for me, just working towards it, is a pleasant thing in itself.”
Inside Luca Brecel’s mad year since winning £500k
By Rob Maul
IF YOU became a world champion of your sport and pocketed £500,000 prize money, how exactly would you celebrate?
Maybe buy a nice car. Treat the missus. Go on a lavish holiday perhaps.
Well, Luca Brecel has done all of that and more – put simply, he’s had the time of his life over these past 12 months.
The Belgian Bullet was crowned King of Sheffield in May 2023 in remarkable fashion, despite no practice and having never won a match at the venue on previous visits.
Brecel immediately splash £250,000, half of his World Champs earnings, on a stunning red Ferrari 488 – which he admits he NEVER drives.
He has since lived the high life, exploring the globe with his girlfriend Laura, piling on the pounds with some fine dining and hangout out with an Arsenal star.
He even lost his Crucible-winning cue.
Find out more about Brecel’s incredible year…
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