Former snooker world champion insists he is ‘really serious’ about taking on ultra-physical new sport… even though ‘people think it’s a joke’

Critics of snooker have for decades scoffed at its classification as a sport.

Many people refuse to accept that a ‘pub game’ – one that often involves players wearing bow ties – can be considered a sporting activity. 

Others suggest not enough physical exertion is required.

But contrary to popular belief, some snooker players are incredibly fit.

Luca Brecel, who won the World Snooker Championship in 2023, is hoping to prove that and he is currently training for an Ironman Triathlon – a long distance race made up of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle and a 26.2-mile run.

A man pictured during the running segment of an Ironman Triathlon in Tennessee last month

Ironman Triathlon events are highly demanding and they also include 112 miles of cycling

The other section of an Ironman Triathlon is 2.4-miles of swimming, often in very cold water

Brecel, 29, has been doing the majority of his triathlon training on the Spanish island of Majorca.

The Belgian played in snooker’s Northern Ireland Open in Belfast this week, but flew to and from Majorca in between matches.

‘It [the Ironman Triathlon] is a really big ambition of mine – some people think it’s a joke but I’m really serious about it,’ Brecel told BBC Sport.

‘That’s the main focus and Majorca is a good environment to train, a lot of the pro cyclists go out there.

‘I’m going to focus on cycling and running for the next two years and then I’ll pick up swimming.’

Brecel also revealed that he is likely to enlist a former champion to coach him.

Ironman Triathlon and snooker are incredibly different sports but Brecel hopes to excel in both

Twenty-nine-year-old Brecel, pictured in Belfast this week, is serious about his new challenge

Much of Brecel’s triathlon training so far has taken place on the Spanish island of Majorca 

He added: ‘A Belgian, Frederik van Lierde, won the Ironman World Championship in 2013 so I might ask him to coach me a little bit. That’s on the cards.

‘For me, being in Majorca is not really about the sunshine, it’s about the temperature and it’s a good environment to train.

‘It’s not about lying on the beach, I haven’t seen the beach yet, it’s all about training.

‘I wouldn’t have practised anyway if I had stayed here in Belfast but it’s not always like this. Normally I’d just be at home, practise my hours every day, but I prefer it like this sometimes during the season, so it’s not always the same.’

Brecel is currently sixth in snooker’s world rankings.