Ex-snooker world champion opens up on secret health battle that is hurting his career | Other | Sport

Former snooker world champion Luca Brecel admits he’s just happy to “feel normal again” after battling a mysterious health issue. The Belgian Bullet potted his way to a world title in 2023.

In 2025, Brecel revealed that he had been grappling with a serious physical health issue that had prevented him from playing in tournaments and was having a significant impact on his game. The Belgian, who made the final of the inaugural Global Snooker 900 Championship at the weekend, has now revealed he is on the mend and was losing out on money during his battle.

“It’s much better,” Brecel exclusively told Express Sport. “But I’m not really fit. Over the last 12 months, I’ve gained a lot of weight, so that always plays on my mind. I struggle to play well when I’m not running or cycling.

“But especially the running. That’s been difficult at the moment. I’ve been cycling here and there, but not really dedicated, just for fun. I’m still trying to get really fit.

“That’s something to work on and once that’s back then I’ll be better as well. But it [the illness] stopped everything. I stopped playing, stopped exercising. I couldn’t play exhibitions. Everyone was saying that I wasn’t trying or was retired from the game, but people don’t realise I was also losing a lot of money, a lot of ranking points.

“No one does that for fun, not those amounts anyway. There was no fun at all. I’m a fighter and I’m on the way back up, and it’s going pretty well.

“People were saying how difficult it was, but I’m just really happy that it is over. I’m always a positive guy and I’m just happy to be feeling normal again. I’m playing well, but snooker is not just about playing well. It’s your mindset, it’s a lot. Many things come into play. It’s all about how you feel in a game.”

Pluto TV is the home of the Snooker 900 concept. Simply download the Pluto TV app to watch tournaments with 900-second frames on your Smart TV.