Ex-world champion Brecel 'really serious' about Ironman

It has not been the most conventional week of snooker for former world champion Luca Brecel as he shifts his focus from the table to Ironman.

The Belgian, who won the sport's most coveted prize in 2023, has been travelling to and from the Spanish island of Mallorca while competing in the Northern Ireland Open to continue his Ironman training on his non-playing days.

His unorthodox approach saw him arrive just hours before his first-round win over He Guoqiang on Sunday and fly back into Northern Ireland on Tuesday night prior to his 4-1 defeat to China's Pang Junxu at the Waterfront Hall on Wednesday.

The Ironman triathlon includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle ride and a 26.2-mile run, and Brecel is aiming to race in competition in 2028.

"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 NI.

"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."

The 29-year-old added that he is likely to avail of some professional help as he continues his preparations for the gruelling challenge that awaits him.

"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," explained Brecel.

"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 practiced anyway if I had stayed here in Belfast but it's not always like this. Normally I'd just be at home, practice my hours every day, but I prefer it like this sometimes during the season, so it's not always the same."

Brecel is ranked sixth in the world with the help of points accumulated from that victory at the Crucible 18 months ago, but recent disappointing performances have put him in danger of potentially losing his Tour card as he drops down the two-year ranking list.

He also lost to Pang Junxu in the last 32 of the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and went out in the third round of the British Open.

"I'm playing well enough - it's just about bringing my practice game to the match table, then I'll be OK. I just need to get on a run, that will come.

"I'm not worried about losing my Tour card as I would see it as a challenge to be in Qualifying School.

"I'd love to play in Q School one day so maybe this is the right time. Obviously I'd love to stay on Tour as well so I'll try my best. For now, I'm heading back to Majorca, I don't know for how long."