The sky’s the limit as Shaun gets ready for his Crucible tilt
Snooker star Shaun Murphy is ready to throw himself out of a plane for charity.
And the former world champion hopes his deathdefying leap will inspire him to fly sky high at next month’s World Championship in Sheffield.
Murphy will make a sky-dive from 15,000 feet on March 26 to raise money and awareness for the charity Future Pathway
The charity helps military personnel and sportsmen and women train for new careers after they leave the armed forces.
He will take the plunge over Salisbury Plain with the elite Red Devils parachute team.
“I’m completely crazy, but many have suspected it for some time!” joked Murphy.
“It goes back to the childhood fascination with superheroes and Superman, I always wanted to have a go at it.
“I’m looking forward to it and nervous for it in equal amounts.
“A sky-dive is something I’ve always wanted to do, but I’m not sure there’s ever a good time to jump out of a plane.
“But it’s a great charity, it’s a great way of getting awareness for them and what they’re doing.
“I accidentally found a video on YouTube of somebody who had a GoPro and their first chute didn’t open.
“Of course there’s always a back-up chute, but his first one didn’t open and I very quickly went back to watching some golf videos!
“It would be like going to play a snooker match and watching a video on the world’s best misses, it’s just not the right thing to do.
“Somebody pointed out on Twitter, that 15,000 feet is almost three miles. I probably could have done without knowing that.”
Murphy won the famous Crucible crown in 2005 and has won every major trophy there is to win in the game since then.
Last month the 40-year-old returned to the champions’ circle by winning the prestigious Tour Championship, his first ranking crown for three years.
And he hopes his welcome return to form can ignite a successful Crucible title-charge at snooker’s stellar tournament.
“It was very special winning the World Championship for the first time,” reflected Murphy.
“I’ll be honest,
I’d have liked to have won it more throughout my career, but it’s such a hard thing to do.
“All the stars have got to align for you, so hopefully that happens in Sheffield.”