ALLEN IS THIN IT TO WIN IT
Mark has shed the pounds and now hopes to end his long weight for World glory
MARK ALLEN is on his own lost-and-found mission.
The world No.3 has lost a whopping six-and-a-half stone in weight in recent months – and now wants to find the secret to Sheffield success.
Allen’s weight loss has coincided with a remarkable run of form, though it has not yet come to fruition at the Crucible.
In 17 previous visits to the home of snooker, Allen has made it to the last eight or further on only five occasions.
But, having battled his way to victory at February’s Players Championship, the Northern Irishman is keen to turn his Crucible CV around when the World Championship starts on Saturday.
“My record there is a strange one because I like the venue,” Allen said. “I like the atmosphere and the history attached to the tournament.
“The bottom line is I haven’t played well enough. You can prepare all you want, and you can think you’re doing the right things, and then turn up and don’t play well on the day in Sheffield.
“But I feel like I’m fresher this year than last year, even though I played better and got better results last year. I haven’t been getting to the later stages as often. I should be going into Sheffield a bit more refreshed than I was last year. I have unfinished business at Sheffield.”
Allen came to the realisation it was time to hit the gym after hearing himself breathe while playing snooker in 2022. The Pistol also cut out boozing and it did not take long for his game to reap the rewards. He has reached six ranking finals since 2022 began and has won the last five.
It should be no surprise the upbeat mindset on his appearance is paying dividends on the baize.
“I just feel healthier and more positive in the way I look,” Allen said. “I’m not there worrying ‘is my shirt coming out, can people see things they shouldn’t be seeing?’
“I just try to concentrate on playing snooker.
“It took me a bit of an adjustment period. It was about sixand-a-half stone I lost at one point, it was a different body when you’re playing.
“I did feel like I was in a different position playing shots and it did take a bit of time to adapt.
“I’m out the other end of it now and I feel like I’m in a good place. I just need to tighten up that cue action.”
Allen is not the only sports star to reap the benefits after shedding the pounds.
Luke Humphries won this year’s darts PDC World Championship after dropping four stone.
Humphries believes his lighter frame was a factor in going all the way at Ally Pally and 2022 UK Championship winner Allen acknowledges how much stamina is needed to conquer the Crucible.
“Energy is important and it’s where I’ve come unstuck in the past,” Allen admitted. “I’ve got through a couple of rounds and then got nothing left.
“When I lost to Selby in the semis last year, it was a gruelling, long, drawn out affair but I genuinely felt like I could have played all night.
“I don’t have that feeling that often. It’s because of the weight loss and the changes I’ve made off the table.
“Hopefully that stands me in good stead, if not for this year then for many years to come.”