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Snooker star Mark Allen on his own lost and found mission at World Championships

EXCLUSIVE: Mark Allen has lost plenty of weight in recent months - and now is keen to find the secret to snooker success at the Crucible

[Mark Allen of Northern Ireland reacts in first round match against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh of Thailand on day 2 of Snooker European Masters 2023 at Kia Metropol Arena on August 23, 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany]

Mark Allen is now one of the best players on the circuit(Image: VCG via Getty Images)

Mark Allen is on his own lost and found mission.

The World No.2 has lost a whopping six and a half stone in weight in recent months - and now wants to find the secret to Sheffield success. Allens weight loss has coincided with a remarkable run of form, though it hasnt yet come to fruition at the Crucible.

In 17 previous visits to the Home of Snooker, Allen, 38, has only made it to the last eight or further on five occasions. But, having battled his way to victory at Februarys Players Championship, Northern Irishman Allen is keen to turn his Crucible CV around.

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My record there is a strange one because I actually like the venue, Allen said. I like the atmosphere and obviously the history attached to the tournament.

The bottom line is I havent played well enough. Theres only one year where I came away thinking Id played really well and thought I had a chance of winning.

I didnt quite get the job done, I lost 13-12 in the quarters to Graeme Dott and I really fancied winning it that year [2010]. I felt like my game was in good enough shape but in general I just havent played well enough when its mattered.

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You cant sugarcoat it. Ive got a bad record there for a reason and its up to me to put it right.

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 the boozing and it didnt 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 wearing off on the baize.

I just feel healthier in myself and more positive in the way I look, Allen added. Im not there worrying is my shirt coming out, can people see things they shouldnt be seeing?

[Mark Allen of Northern Ireland walks back to the table after a break during his first round match against Luca Brecel of Belgium during day one of The Dafabet Masters at Alexandra Palace on January 13, 2019 in London, England.]

Mark Allen shed over six stone to slim down(Image: Getty Images)

I just try to concentrate on playing snooker. It took me a bit of an adjustment period. It was a dramatic weight loss, it was about six and a half stone I lost at one point, it was a different body when youre playing.

I did feel like I was in a different position playing shots and it did take a bit of time to adapt.

Im out the other end of it now and I feel like Im in a good place with it all. Im happy with where my body is, I just need to tighten up that cue action.

Allen isnt the only sports star to reap the benefits after shedding the pounds. Darts star Luke Humphries won this years PDC World Championship after dropping four stone.

[Mark Allen]

Mark Allen faces Robbie Williams in the first round at the Crucible(Image: VCG via Getty Images)

Humphries believes his lighter frame was a factor in going all the way at Ally Pally and 2022 UK Champioship winner Allen acknowledges how much stamina is needed to conquer the Crucible.

Energy is important, and its where Ive come unstuck in the past, Allen admitted. Ive 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 dont have that feeling that often. Its obviously because of the weight loss and the changes Ive made off the table.

[Mark Allen]

Mark Allen is hoping to break his Crucible duck this year(Image: Cody Froggatt/News Images)

Hopefully that stands me in good stead, if not for this year then for many years to come.

Despite his success, Allen doesnt believe hes played consistently well over the past 18 months.

The Antrim man has won the World Grand Prix, Snooker Shoot Out and Champion of Champions but also suffered early defeats at the UK Championship and European Masters. Though believes those early exits may help him in finally going the distance at the Crucible.

Its a strange one, Ive picked up five tournaments over the last 16 months but I dont feel like Ive played that well in that spell, Allen told us before winning the Players Championship.

There have been some really really good performances in there but a lot of rubbish as well.

[YORK, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Mark Allen of Northern Ireland celebrates with the trophy after winning the final match against Ding Junhui of China on day 9 of 2022 Cazoo UK Championship at Barbican Centre on November 20, 2022 in York, England.]

Mark Allen has picked up plenty of trophies in recent seasons(Image: VCG via Getty Images)

As long as I keep winning matches and nicking tournaments here or there, the good form will come.

It is [nice to win when you dont feel like youre at your best], ultimately its all about winning. Whenever you look back on the history of the game, its just about who has won tournaments

You dont remember how well you played or didnt play through it. But it would still be nice to do both, itd be nice to turn up, perform and win easily, like I did at the Champion of Champions.

You can prepare all you want, and you can think youre doing the right things, and then turn up and dont play well on the day in Sheffield.

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But I feel like Im fresher this year than last year, even though I played better and got better results last year, I havent been getting to the later stages as often. I should be going into Sheffield a bit more refreshed than I was last year.

The World Championship is the only Triple Crown event Allen is yet to get his hands on. He won the Masters back in 2018 before adding the UK Championship 17 months ago. And he is desperate to be crowned world champion.

Everything, Allen said when asked how much it would mean to win at the Crucible. Im not going to lie, thats what I started out in the game for - to be world champion. I still believe Im good enough to do that.

If I get to the stage where I dont feel like I can compete, dont feel like I can win that tournament, then Id rather walk away. I still feel like Im a long way off that. I still feel Im one of the very best in the world, and have unfinished business at Sheffield.

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