By Elliott West
“I FADED AWAY IN THAT SECOND ROUND MATCH AGAINST MARK AFTER A GOOD START. I DON’T KNOW IF IT WAS BECAUSE OF MY EYESIGHT AT MY AGE, OR THE FACT I’VE BEEN CARRYING A BIT TOO MUCH TIMBER. THAT HAS NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE BEFORE, BUT I FELT UNCOMFORTABLE IN SHEFFIELD THIS YEAR. I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE THE NEW SEASON”.
John Higgins
Introduction
John Higgins has often been rated by Ronnie O’Sullivan as the best snooker player that has ever picked up a cue. Now 46, Higgins has had a long and illustrious career in the sport but in recent months has turned his attention to his own health. The four-times world champion was woken up to the matter when he had trouble breathing at this year’s World Championship where he suffered defeat in the second round against Mark Williams.
A Health Kick
Following on from this scare, John decided to address the issue of his increased weight and has now taken up spin classes to shed the pounds. After an immaculate performance in the Player’s Championship in February, his World Championship performance was a surprise to many supporters and a bitter disappointment to the player himself. Unable to blame his dire performance on age-related eyesight issues, Higgins took the bull by the horns and set himself a goal of being fit for the new snooker season in July.
Going three or four times a week, John attends spin and literally gets lost amongst blaring music for 45 minutes at a time. A toil that leaves him drenched in sweat and in his own words “knackered”. However, the results seem to be emerging with Higgins having already lost one stone in weight.
The Scot’s aim is to use this exercise regime to not necessarily play better but to feel better. Not only will he feel less restricted in his waistcoat but feel better in himself. Anyone who knows John Higgins or has watched him play over the years, know that this fierce player will not be tamed for long. His mental astuteness and precision is a winning formula that has won him 31 ranking titles, 19 non-ranking titles and 3 minor titles. Not bad for a player that age-wise should be coming to the end of his career. However, as we know, this trend has been bucked by so many players and age is no longer a major factor but instead is dominated by form and performance on the table.
