Mark Allen’s incredible body transformation saw snooker ace lose almost seven stone
Snooker star Mark Allen feels as fit as a butcher’s dog as he bids to claim the Crucible crown for the first time.
The Northern Irishman has been in fantastic form this season, winning three ranking titles. Now he has his sights firmly set on the big one thanks to a little help from Ronnie O’Sullivan after his second round defeat to the Rocket 12 months ago.
Allen took a leaf out of the reigning champion’s clean-living lifestyle after that loss – and the results have been extraordinary. Allen has lost six and a half stone in the last year after cutting out the boozing and hitting the gym. “I’m in the best shape I’ve been in for a long, long time,” Allen said ahead of his Crucible bow against Chinese debutant Fan Zhengyi, who defeated Stephen Maguire in qualifying.
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“It’s probably 15 years since I’ve looked anything remotely like this. I enjoyed myself after the Crucible last time. I ate and drank a bit too much for a few weeks and then I got my head down.
“It was really since June that I started knuckling down and doing things right. Since then, I think I’ve lost 6½ stone. I’m at a point where I’m not even checking the scales anymore. I’m doing a bit of gym work, trying to tone up a bit — to get rid of some excess skin I have got now.
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![The Northern Irishman has lost almost seven stone in the space of a year](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article29700955.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Cazoo-Masters-2023-Day-Three-Alexandra-Palace.jpg)
(Image: PA)
“Losing the weight definitely helped my snooker and helped my life.”
Allen, who is ranked no.3 in the world going into the Crucible, reckons there’s a correlation between being fit and going deep at the event. Having failed to make it past the second round in ten of his las 11 attempts, the Pistol will be hoping his new toned figure gives him the fitness he needs to have a good run.
He added: “Last year it wasn’t a lot of fun, going round the table and I could hear it in my breathing. I wasn’t in a good place. It is no coincidence that, more often than not, the people who do really well consistently at the Crucible are the ones who are in good shape.
![Allen is hoping for a big run at the Crucible](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article29700985.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_2018-Betfred-Snooker-World-Championships-Day-Two-The-Crucible.jpg)
(Image: PA)
“I have given myself a chance this time. I always believed that I could win even when I was at my heaviest — but didn’t do myself any favours.”
The World Snooker Championship begins on Saturday and lasts 17 days, culminating in the final on May Bank Holiday weekend.
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